Patent Publication Number: US-2021179319-A1

Title: Multi-compartment containers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/457,434, filed Jun. 28, 2019, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/434,988, filed on Feb. 16, 2017 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,442,569), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/542,507, filed on Nov. 14, 2014 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,611,073), which is divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/622,853, filed on Nov. 20, 2009 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,915,395), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/415,910, filed on Mar. 31, 2009 (now abandoned), which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/948,837, filed on Sep. 22, 2004 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,571,829), which claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60/505,410, filed on Sep. 23, 2003. This Application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/693,765, filed on Apr. 22, 2015, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/093,468, filed Apr. 25, 2011 (now abandoned), which claims priority and benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/345,974, filed May 18, 2010. This application also claims priority to Provisional Application No. 62/984,222, filed Mar. 2, 2020. The disclosures of each of the applications above are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Examples described herein relate to packaging for consumer and commercial products that can lose potency or freshness when the package is opened and the contents are exposed to atmospheric conditions, such as oxygen and moisture in air. While such problems are present in traditional sizes and portions, they are a particularly pronounced in products that are typically purchased in “bulk” or “economy” sizes or take some amount of time to use or consume once the package has been opened. The amount of product or size of the portion that is considered “bulk” or “economy” sizes can depend on the nature of the product. For example, ground coffee can quickly lose its aromatic oils when exposed to air, while other dry goods, such as dry rice and dried beans, are much more stable when exposed to air. Other products, such as baking powder, can begin losing potency immediately upon exposure to air. Accordingly, the amount of the product that might be considered “bulk” or “economy” size can vary with the type of the product and its ability to maintain freshness upon exposure to air. 
     One particular problem with “bulk” or “economy” size single compartment packaging is that the entirety of the contents is exposed to the air once the package is opened for the first time and each time the package is accessed to remove more product. As such, the possible savings realized on a per serving or per use basis can be and are often lost due to spoilage or staleness of at least some of the product if not used in a timely manner. This problem is only exacerbated by the mandatory or voluntary removal of preservatives from many products and food stuffs. 
     Examples of conventional packages or containers that are used for consumer and commercial products may include a number of different types. Typical cans or canister containers, are available in various sizes and proportions and made of various materials, such as metal, plastic, cardboard, paperboard, foil, Mylar™, or a composite of any of the foregoing. Conventional boxes or cartons, similarly, are available in various sizes and proportions and made of various materials, such as metal, plastic, cardboard, paperboard or a composite or combination of any of the foregoing. Conventional bags, also are available in various sizes and proportions and made of various materials, such as paper, plastic, Mylar™, foil or a combination of any of the foregoing. Plastics can include traditional variations of polyethylene. Each individual can, box, and bag are single compartment containers. As such, each exhibit a similar problem with single compartment containers in that once they are opened, the entire contents of the container are exposed to air and moisture. 
     As known, exposure to air and moisture can cause many products, such as food stuffs, to lose freshness or go stale. To avoid continued exposure to air and moisture, some configurations of the container may include re-sealable or reusable lids and closures. For example, a can might include a reusable plastic lid, a box might include a re-sealable top having some type of reusable adhesive, while a bag might be equipped with a re-sealable or reusable closure like a zipper or a clip. However, such re-sealable or reusable closures still allow the entirety of the remaining contents to be exposed to new air and moisture each time the package is opened to access the product. 
     One particular problem with “bulk” or “economy” size single compartment packaging is that the entirety of the contents is exposed to the air once the package is opened for the first time and each time the package is accessed to remove more product. As such, the possible savings realized on a per serving or per use basis can be and are often lost due to spoilage or staleness of at least some of the product if not used in a timely manner. This problem is only exacerbated by the mandatory or voluntary removal of preservatives from many products and food stuffs. 
     Additionally, In the packaging of certain products where freshness is a concern, it is desirable to have the products packaged under vacuum or seal to avoid exposure to the damaging effects of the atmosphere. By way of example, one such product is coffee. Typically, coffee is packaged in a single compartment can under vacuum or with nitrogen-rich environments. When the coffee can is opened and exposed to atmospheric conditions, all of the coffee in that coffee can may lose its aroma and flavor due to the effects of oxygen and moisture in the atmosphere. Consequently, there is a need for a container that gives consumers access to an amount of sealed products without compromising the freshness of all of the contents in the container. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Broadly, the present description provides a multi-unit storage device where two separate compartments are joined in a manner such that accessing one of the compartments does not compromise product held in the other compartment. The separate compartments may be vacuum or otherwise sealed such that when the seal is broken, access to the products contained therein is provided. Each of the compartments may be independently sealed. 
     In accordance with at least one example, a multi-unit storage device includes a container comprising: a first end, a second end, at least one surface extending from the first end to the second end, a divider wall defining a first compartment extending from the divider wall to the first end and a second compartment extending from the divider wall to the second end, perforations in the at least one surface that can be used to detach the first compartment from the second compartment once the contents of the first compartment are depleted, a first seal coupled to the first compartment, and a second seal coupled to the second compartment, wherein at least one of the first seal or the second seal is a reusable closure element. 
     In accordance with at least one example, a method of using a multi-compartment storage device includes obtaining the multi-compartment storage device, wherein the multi-compartment storage device comprises: a container having a first end, a second end, and at least one surface extending from the first end to the second end, a divider wall defining a first compartment extending from the divider wall to the first end and a second compartment extending from the divider wall to the second end, perforations in the at least one surface that can be used to detach the first compartment from the second compartment once the contents of the first compartment are depleted, a first seal coupled to the first compartment; and a second seal coupled to the second compartment, wherein at least one of the first seal or the second seal is a reusable closure element; opening the first seal; accessing and using product stored in the first compartment until depleted; opening the second seal after the product stored in the first compartment is depleted; and accessing and using product stored in the second compartment. 
     In accordance with one example of the present disclosure, a multi-compartment storage device, comprising: a first compartment, a second compartment, and a divider wall defining the first compartment and the second compartment, wherein each of the first compartment and the second compartment is independently accessible, perforations in the at least one surface that can be used to detach the first compartment from the second compartment once the contents of the first compartment are depleted, a first seal coupled to the first compartment, and a second seal coupled to the second compartment, wherein at least one of the first seal or the second seal can be removed without breaking the other seal. 
     Other features and advantages will be apparent upon review of the following detailed description of exemplary examples. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of two containers for a multi-unit storage device in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the two containers forming a multi-unit storage device in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of two cylinders and connecting-divider for a multi-unit storage device in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view of one cylinders and connecting-divider for a multi-unit storage device in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 5  is view of a multi-compartment container in which multiple compartments are divided via a divider wall in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 6  shows various examples of a multi-compartment, including an example can or canister container, box, and bag or sack in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 7  shows an example of a two compartments cereal box in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 8  shows one example of a plastic box that may be suitable for packaging dry or wet products in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 9  shows a multi-compartment bag in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 10  shows an example multi-compartment container for packaging ice cream in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 11  show an example of a multi-compartment container in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart of a method for using a multi-compartment container in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 13A and 13B  depicts an illustrative example of a multi-compartment used for packaging bread in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 14  depicts an illustrative example of a divider wall for a multi-compartment container in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 15  depicts various examples of multi-compartment containers in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 16  depicts a view of a multi-compartment container in which multiple compartments are divided via a divider wall in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 17  depicts variations in design which can be implemented into the multi-compartment container in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 18  depicts an illustrative example in which the multi-compartment container is a tray having a divider in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 19  depicts an illustrative example in which the multi-compartment container is a carton container having a divider in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 20  depicts an illustrative example in which the multi-compartment container is a canister container having a divider in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 21  depicts an illustrative example in which the multi-compartment container is a clamshell package having a divider that may be suitable for packaging dry or wet products in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 22  depicts an illustrative example of a technique by which the multi-compartment container may be manipulated to provide for more secure storage in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 23  depicts an illustrative example in which the multi-compartment container is a bag having a divider in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 24  depicts an illustrative example of an example of a multi-compartment container in accordance with at least one example; 
         FIG. 25  depicts a flowchart of a method for using a multi-compartment container in accordance with at least one example; and. 
         FIG. 26  shows views of a multi-compartment container in accordance with at least one example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a multi-unit storage device  10  in accordance with at least one example is illustrated. The multi-unit storage device consists of two containers or cans  11 ,  12 . The containers may be made of metal, in which case they are welded together at their bottom portions  13 ,  14 . Glue or some other type of adhesive may also be used. 
     The top portions can be sealed with either metal, foil, plastic or any other suitable material. As described herein, examples of packages may be formed of any of the preceding materials or any other known materials used in packaging including recycled packaging, compostable, sustainable packaging, and other such materials. Examples for the two separate containers include coffee cans, nut cans, potato chip cans and other types of snacks. Lids  15  can be provided for closing or resealing the cans  11 ,  12 . 
     The separate cans may be made using many manufacturing techniques. Early methods of making such cans included rolling a metallic body or sidewall  16  and coupling a metallic bottom  17  to the body portion with a folded or sealed flange. Additionally, the bottom may be coupled to the rolled body with a welding-type process. Modern methods include stamping or forming the bottom and body as a unitary body. In some examples, ribs or troughs  18  may be defined circumferentially in the body or sidewall to provide extra strength and stability. 
     Another example of a type of container that may be used as the containers to form the multi-unit storage device in accordance with the present description includes a cardboard or plastic body  16  with a metal, or plastic bottom  17 . The containers may also be made as a unitary body of plastic or other suitable material. Examples of such a container include orange juice cans, nut cans, coffee, some potato snack cans and other snack cans. 
     In use, two containers  11 ,  12  as described above are provided and are coupled together at their bottom portions  13 ,  14 . Each can, container or compartment is filled with a product and then individually vacuum, nitrogen flush or otherwise sealed. This may be done before or after the two containers are coupled to one another. Each compartment may be filled with the same product or different products. Examples of products include, but are not limited to, coffee, nuts, potato chips, candy, tea, dried fruit, etc. 
     When one desires access to a product, one simply opens one compartment of the container. Thus, the second compartment remains unopened, thereby protecting the product therein from the elements and helping maintain freshness. When access to the second compartment is desired, the multi-unit storage device is “flipped” and the second compartment is opened. Each compartment may be closed with lids  15  if provided. One lid may be provided and used for both containers if desired. 
     Additionally, each compartment may be filled with a different product if it is so desired. For example, one compartment may include potato chips while the second container may include corn chips. 
       FIG. 3  shows another example of a multi-compartment container according to at least one example. Elevation view  200 A is the unassembled view of the multi-compartment container in elevation view  200 B. As shown in  FIG. 3 , multi-compartment container in elevation view  200 A can include a first cylinder  20 , a connecting-divider  22  and a second cylinder  21 . First cylinder  20  and second cylinder  21  can be made of any number of materials including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, cardboard, paper board, Mylar® and foil. In some examples, first cylinder  20  and second cylinder  21  can be made of a composite material that incorporates two or more of the aforementioned materials. For example, the substrate of first cylinder  20  and second cylinder  21  can include a cardboard substrate having a foil lining on the interior surface of the cylinder and a Mylar® or plastic coating on the exterior surface of the cylinder. Using or reducing the amount of metal in a container can drastically reduce the cost of producing and shipping the containers. Not only are the actual non-metal component materials less expensive, but there are many inexpensive techniques and machines that may be used for producing containers, cans, cylinders and dividers from non-metal materials. 
     In various examples, the first end  23  of the first cylinder  20  can have a top opening portion adapted to be sealed and capable of receiving a reusable lid to close the opening. Similarly, the second end  29  of the second cylinder  21  can also have a top opening portion adapted to be sealed and capable of receiving a reusable lid to close the opening. The reusable lid can be similar to the reusable lid  15  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The multi-compartment container or storage device pictured in  FIG. 3  can be used, filled and accessed in manners similar to those described above. 
     In various examples, the first cylinder  20  and second cylinder  21  are hollow cylinders with a wall thickness, w, dimensioned to produce the structural rigidity suitable for containing and protecting products packaged therein, maintaining optional vacuum or pressure or stacking of multiple containers during shipping and display. The first cylinder can include an interior surface and an exterior surface with similar or dissimilar materials. For example, the exterior surface can be coated in a plastic film while the interior surface can be coated with a metal foil. The wall thickness, w, can depend on multiple factors, such as the intended use of the multi-compartment container, the material of the cylinders and the intended packaging method. For example, the wall thickness, w, for a cardboard cylinder can be thicker than that of a metal cylinder, especially if the resulting multi-compartment container is intended to be vacuum, pressure or nitrogen flushed sealed. Nitrogen flush sealing replaces the air inside the container to remove oxygen and moisture to help better preserve the freshness of the packaged products. 
     First cylinder  20  can have a first end  23  and a second end  25  and second cylinder  21  can have a first end  27  and a second end  29 . Connecting-divider  22  can have a first side  26  and a second side  28  and have a unitary body construction. Multi-compartment container  200 B can be assembled by attaching or coupling the second end  25  of first cylinder  20  with the first side  26  of connecting-divider  22  and attaching or coupling the first end  27  of cylinder  21  to the second side  28  of connecting-divider  22 . The means of attaching or coupling the ends of the two cylinders  20  and  21  to the connecting-divider  22  can include, but are not limited to, adhesive, welding and crimping or any combination thereof 
     In some examples, connecting-divider  22  can have lip section  24 - 1  on first side  26  and lip section  24 - 2  on second side  28 . The width, n, of lip sections  24 - 1  and  24 - 2  can be defined by the difference between the diameter D 22 - 2  of the solid inner portion of connecting-divider  22  and the outer diameter D  22 - 1  of connecting-divider  22 . In some examples, diameter D 22 - 2  can be dimensioned to slip or snug fit around the outside of diameter D 20  of the first cylinder  20  and the second cylinder  21 . In such examples, the first cylinder  20  and the second cylinder  21  can be inserted into the region defined by the lip sections  24 - 1  and  24 - 2 , respectively. The lip sections  24 - 1  and  24 - 2  can be dimensioned so that the interior surface of lip sections  24 - 1  and  24 - 2  extend around the outer surfaces of first cylinder  20  and second cylinder  21 , respectively. In some examples, adhesive can be applied to the inner surface of the lip sections or the outer surface of the cylinders ends to provide more surface area of adhesion. In other examples, the lip sections can be crimped or otherwise deformed so as to grab or engage the outer surfaces of the cylinders. In other examples, adhesive and crimping can be used to ensure a strong and airtight seal between the cylinders  20 ,  21  and connecting-divider  22 . 
     The height of the lip sections can be dimensioned so as to provide additional surface area on which to apply adhesive between the connecting-divider  22  and the cylinders  20  and  21  to further strengthen the connection between the components. The height of the lip section can be defined as the difference between the thickness t 1  of the solid inner portion of connecting-divider  22  and thickness t 2 . In some examples, the inner solid section of connecting-divider  22  is symmetrically arranged between lip section  24 - 1  and lip section  24 - 2 . In other examples, the inner solid section of connecting-divider  22  can be arranged asymmetrically between the two lip sections. In some examples, the lip sections  24 - 1  and  24 - 2  can dimensioned with different diameters D 22 - 2  so as to accommodate two cylinders with different dimensions such as wall thickness and diameter. For example, first cylinder  20  can have a diameter D 20  and wall thickness w while second cylinder  21  can have a diameter different from diameter D 20  and a wall thickness different from w. 
     When fully assembled, multi-compartment container  200 B can have one compartment, or container, with walls of uniform diameter defined by the inner surface of cylinder  20  and a bottom defined by the first side  26  of the solid inner portion of connecting-divider  22  and another compartment, or container, with walls defined by the inner surface of cylinder  21  and the bottom defined by the second side  28  of the solid inner portion of connecting-divider  22 . In some examples, connecting-divider  22  has no lip sections and second end  25  of the first cylinder  20  and the first end  27  of the second cylinder  21 , each having some wall thickness w, are coupled to the surfaces of opposite sides of the connecting-divider  22 . 
     In other examples, in which the walls are plastic or other material, the cylinders can have non-uniform diameter from one end to the other or other arbitrary shape as determined by the aesthetics or design of the packaging. For example, the plastic walls can have depressions or impressions that make it easier to hold or handle the multi-compartment container. Similarly, the compartments can any shape required by the product or the needs of the aesthetic design with two or more separately sealable/openable compartments, i.e. the shape of a cartoon character or trademark character. 
       FIG. 4  is an elevation view of yet another example of a multi-compartment container according to at least one example. Multi-compartment container  300  can include a cylinder  37  having a first end  33  and a second end  35 . A multi-compartment container  300  can also include a dividing wall  31 . Cylinder  37  can have a diameter D 37  dimensioned so that dividing wall  31 , having a diameter D 31 , can slip or snugly fit within the inner diameter of cylinder  37 . Dividing wall  31  can be coupled to the inner surface of cylinder  37  by any suitable means including, but not limited to, adhesive, welding, tacks and retaining rings or cylinders. 
     Dividing wall  31  can be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, cardboard, paper board, Mylar, foil or any combination or composite thereof. As shown in  FIG. 4 , dividing wall  31  can be a simple disk of some thickness t 1  and diameter D 31 . Alternatively, dividing wall  31  can have structural or reinforcement lip sections  32 A and  32 B similar to that of the connecting-divider shown in  FIG. 3 . To conserve material and/or increase the structural integrity of the dividing wall  31 , the dividing wall  31  can have a solid inner section between the first side  30 A and second side  30 B having a thickness t 1  smaller than the thickness t 2  between a surface of lip section  32 A and a surface of lip section  32 B. The dimension n of the dividing wall  31  can be defined as the difference between diameters D 31 - 1  and D 31 - 2 . The dimension n can vary according to the requirements of a multi-compartment container and the materials used to construct dividing wall  31 . 
     In some examples, the cylinder  37  and the dividing wall  31  can be molded as a unitary body. For example, the cylinder  37  and dividing wall can be injection molded out of plastic or other moldable as a unitary body. In such examples, the walls of the containers can be made of the same material. 
       FIG. 5  is view of a multi-compartment container in which multiple compartments are divided via a divider wall in accordance with at least some examples. In some examples, each of the multiple compartments may be independently sealed so that accessing one of the compartments does not compromise the contents of the other compartment.  FIG. 5  depicts top-down views  502  (A and B) of the multi-compartment container, as well as side views  504  (A and B) of the multi-compartment container. In  FIG. 5 , views  502 (A) and  504 (A) depict the multi-compartment container without seal  506  whereas views  502 (B) and  504 (B) depict the multi-compartment container with seal  506 . In some examples, the outer walls of the multi-compartment container may be parallel. For example, the multi-compartment container may be cylindrical. In some examples, the outer walls of the multi-compartment container may be slanted. For example, the multi-compartment container may be conical. Although shown having a circular cross section, other cross sectional shapes such as an ellipse, square, or other shape may be envisioned. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , multiple compartments may be formed in the multi-compartment container via the inclusion of a divider wall  508 . The divider wall  508  may be a vertical divider. As depicted, divider wall  508  may be in contact with the outer wall, bottom, and top of the multi-compartment container. In some examples, the divider wall  508  may include an inner portion  510  and a reinforcement lip  512 , where the reinforcement lip  512  is thicker than the inner portion  510  and runs along an outer edge of the divider wall  508 . The reinforcement lip  512  may be at an open end of the multi-compartment container, adjacent a seal position for enclosing a volume within the multi-compartment container. 
     In some examples, the multi-compartment container may be configured such that each compartment may be independently sealed. In some examples, a seal  506  may be adhered to the outer walls and divider wall  508  of the multi-compartment container via contact points represented as arrows  514 . In some examples, the outer wall may include a lip  516  which provides surface area for a contact point  514  at which the seal  506  may be adhered to the outer wall. Likewise, the reinforcement lip  512  may provide surface area for a contact point  514  at which the seal  506  may be adhered to the divider wall  508 . In some examples, the outer wall may have a sloped or slanted side or may be vertical as shown. 
     Seal  506  may be made of any suitable flexible material capable of preventing the passage of air or liquid into a compartment of the multi-compartment container. For example, the seal  506  may be a thin layer of plastic. In some examples, seal  506  may include a perforation  518  at which the seal  506  may be separated. The perforation  518  may extend along a length of the divider wall  508 . For example, the seal  506  may be a single plastic sheet which is adhered to each of the outer walls (via lip  516 ) and the divider wall (via reinforcement lip  512 ) and which is perforated along the divider wall  508 . In these examples, the seal  506  may be broken at the perforations such that removing the seal  506  from a first compartment will not remove the seal  506  from the second compartment. 
     In examples that include perforation  518 , the perforation  518  may be added to the seal  506  before or after the seal  506  is adhered to the multi-compartment container. In some examples, the perforation  518  may be formed in films and form a film perforation. In some examples, a single reusable closure element (e.g., a plastic snap-type lid) may be fitted over the outer walls of the multi-compartment container such that air exposure to the multiple compartments is restricted by the plastic lid. In some examples, the seal  506  may cover a single compartment of the multi-compartment container such that a first compartment remains sealed via the seal  506  and a second compartment is sealed using a lid. In some examples, the seal  506  may include two or more seals rather than a single seal having perforations. 
       FIG. 6  shows various examples of a multi-compartment, including an example can or canister container, box and bag or sack in accordance with at least some examples. The illustrations of multi-compartment canister container  605 , multi-compartment box  610  and multi-compartment bag  615  show the improvements according to various examples described herein. Each of the varieties of multi-compartment container, shown in  FIG. 6  can be made of various materials and include various seals and lids based on the type of product that they will be used to package. Furthermore, even though the examples shown  FIG. 6  each have two compartments, various examples can include more than two compartments. 
     Canister  605  may include two compartments  606  and  607 . Compartment  606  and  607 , as well as other compartments in other examples, may be separately manufactured and then attached to one another. In such examples, each compartment can be a full or partial container with or without a full set of side/walls, top and bottom. Such examples are described in more detail in related U.S. Pat. No. 7,571,829, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/622,853. Alternatively, compartments  606  and  607  of canister container  605  may be made of a single cylindrical or other shape outer body with an interior divider wall  608 . 
     The divider wall  608  may be oriented in any plane within canister container  605 . In yet other examples, canister container  605  can include more than two compartments. In some examples, the divider wall  608  can be affixed to the interior wall of a cylinder, while in other examples the divider wall  608  can be included in the exterior structure of the canister container  605 . In such examples, the divider wall  608  can be used to connect two cylinders of similar or dissimilar materials having either the same or different volumes. 
     Similarly, the divider wall  608  can have any shape to accommodate various products or divide up the volume of the multi-compartment container into structurally or visually interesting or aesthetic volumes. For example, divider wall  608  need not be a flat disc. In fact, for the purposes of reducing the material needed to manufacture the divider wall  608 , divider wall can include stamped or molded ribs to increase the structural integrity. Also, it is possible that the divider wall can be in the shape of a cone, a parabolic rotation, or bubble shape with at least one plane, edge or rim that can connect to the wall of canister container  605 . Such configurations can provide novel ways to divide the interior volumes of the multi-compartment container. Such examples can be particularly desirable for multi-compartment containers with transparent or translucent side walls, such that the divider and the separate volumes within the multi-compartment container can be seen or observed from the exterior of the multi-compartment container. 
     According to various examples, box  610  can include at least two compartments, such as  611  and  612 . Box  610  can also include more than two compartments. Box  610  can be made of various materials. For example, the walls, sides, top and bottom of box  610  can include cardboard, paperboard, metal, wood, plastic, foil, Mylar™ or some composite or combination of the foregoing materials. Any material suitable for making walls, sides, top and bottom rigid enough to contain the intended contents of box  610  can be used. 
     Compartment  611  and  612  can be constructed of the same or different materials. In some examples, box  610  having compartments  611  and  612 , can be constructed of a single piece of cardboard, paper or paperboard, or plastic using known box folding pattern and construction techniques. In other examples, box  610  can be constructed by joining two separate boxes having compartments  611  and  612  respectively. In other examples, box  610  can include a divider  613  affixed to the interior of box  610 . The dividing wall  613  can define compartment  611  and  612  with identical or different volumes. According to other examples, box  610  can have more than two compartments. The divider wall  613  can be oriented in any plane within box  610 , including planes parallel or perpendicular to the long or short axes of the box  610 . Divider wall  613 , can also have any shape suitable for separating the volumes of compartment  611  and  612 . 
     In various examples, compartments  611  and  612  can be used to package the same or different products, materials or food stuffs. Each compartment  611  and  612  can be opened, unsealed or accessed individually. In such examples, while the contents of one compartment are in the process of being used or consumed, the contents of the other compartment remain sealed to protect freshness or potency. Such configurations have the advantage of providing larger quantities of the product to be packaged and sold with less potential of the contents losing freshness or potency due to exposure to air. From a consumer point of view, economical quantities of products can be purchased with a lower chance that the purchased product be lost to waste. These advantages provide potential for greater profitability on the side of the manufacturer or packager by creating a more desirable packaged product and thus higher demand, at the same time as providing potential cost savings of bulk quantity purchases for the user or consumer. As used herein, the terms consumer can include any type of entity, including, but not limited to, individuals, families, restaurant, food preparation professional, chefs, workers, hospitals, hotels, etc. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 6  is bag  615 . As shown, bag  615  can have two compartments  616  and  617 . In some examples, compartments  616  and  617  can be formed by crimping, sewing or heat welding the non-rigid or semi-rigid walls of bag  615  at seam  618 . The non-rigid or semi-rigid walls of bag  615  can include paper, plastic film, foil, Mylar™, cellulose or some combination or composite thereof. Bag  615  can have its top and bottom end seams  619  and  620  sealed in the same manner. In other examples, seam  618  can be oriented in the longitudinal direction running from end  619  to  620 . In yet other examples, ends  619  and  620  can include re-closable seams or seals, such as zipper-type or reusable adhesive-type closures. 
       FIG. 7  shows an example of a two compartments cereal box  710 A according to one example. Cereal box  710 A can include compartments  711  and  712 . The construction of cereal box  710 A can include the same materials as described above in reference to box  610 . Compartments  711  and  712  can be constructed of or include the same or different materials. 
     In various examples, a consumer can access and use the contents of compartment  711  without exposing the contents of compartment  712 . Once the contents of compartment  711  are depleted, a user can open or unseal compartment  712  to access the contents of that compartment. Each of compartment  711  and  712  can include desiccants. Compartments  711  and  712  can also include liners, or re-sealable or reusable lids or closures elements for creating an airtight or hermetic enclosure, separate from the airtight or hermetic enclosure of the other compartment of the multi-compartment container. 
     Although cereal box  710 A is shown and described as a cereal box, this example is only illustrative and should not be construed as limiting a box such as  710 A to being only used for packaging cereal. Cereal box  710 A, as well as any other container according to other examples, can be used to package numerous types of dry food, commercial or industrial products that are sensitive to air, such as grains, chips, marshmallows, pretzels, nuts, dried fruit, oats, weight control supplements, protein powders, milk additives, such as chocolate milk powder, plaster of Paris, baby food, cookies, crackers, baking mixes, pancake mixes, cake mixes, brownie mixes, drink mixes, car wax, greases, sealants, epoxies, glues, cigars, cigarettes etc. 
     As shown, the cereal box  710 A can have an exterior surface  715 . Exterior surface  715  can include a material identical to that of cereal box  710 A or comprise a wrapper made of a different material. For example, the body of cereal box  710 A can be made of cardboard or a composite of cardboard and plastic, while the exterior surface  715  can be or wrap made of plastic film or a separate piece of paper wrapped around or otherwise affixed to cereal box  710 A. In some examples, it is desirable for the exterior  715  to have printed information to identify the contents and the proper use of the contents of cereal box  710 A and its constituent compartments  711  and  712 . 
     Box  710 B shows the interior construction of cereal box  710 A. As shown, box  710 B includes a divider  718  separating compartments  711  and  712 . Divider  718  can be oriented in any direction, including, but not limited to, vertical or horizontal with respect to the orientation of packaging. Divider  718  can be integral to the construction of the box  710 B or can be a separate piece and even be made of a different material than the exterior  715 , walls, sides, top and bottom of box  710 B. In some examples, it is beneficial for the material of box  710 B to include a composite material to further insure freshness and potency of the contents of compartments  711  and  712 . To that end, it is often desirable to use a cardboard or paperboard laminated or other combined with plastic or Mylar™ type product in the construction of box  710 B. 
     Various other boxes and containers according to various examples can be made of waterproof or moisture resistant materials such as plastic. Such examples are particularly advantageous when the contents of multiple compartments of the containers described herein are wet or moist. For example, such multi-compartment containers are useful for dispensing one portion of pre-moistened wipes from a tub, canister, bag, or other such container while keeping another portion fresh for future use. Such wipes can include fabric or paper based towels pre-moistened or laced with solutions, detergents, and medications for personal care and hygiene or household or industrial use. Some examples include wipes, moistened disinfectants, cleaners, polishes, waxes, soaps, or medications and topical solutions such as make-up removers, skin treatments, moisturizers and sanitary solutions. 
       FIG. 8  shows one example of a plastic box  710 C according to one example that can be suitable for packaging dry or wet products. As with the container shown in  FIG. 7 , the divider wall  718  in  FIG. 8  can also be disposed in any orientation with respect to the other surfaces of the container. 
     By using an appropriate plastic or other polymer, box  710 C can be used to package or contain various types of liquids and wet products that require special handling or an airtight seal to maintain usefulness. The airtight seal afforded by using a plastic material for the body and lid  718 C for box  710 C can be useful in other applications as well. Plastic materials are useful for making reusable and re-sealable or reusable lids or closure elements such as lid  718 C. Such types of re-sealable lids or closure elements are useful for products that are used frequently or when the container is required to withstand being transported after the container is opened. For example, box  710 C can be used to package products such as wet or dry baby formula that must survive being carried in a carry bag with other supplies on a regular basis while protecting the baby formula from contamination and preventing the baby formula from spilling. Such containers are also useful for frequently used and moisture sensitive products such as powdered drink, iced-tea and chocolate milk mixes. 
     Box  710 D shows the internal construction of box  710 C. As shown, box  710 D can include compartments  716  and  717  that can be individually sealed with re-sealable lids  720 A and  720 B that make up lid  718 D. In some examples, lids  720 A and  720 B can be opened and closed as a single unit or operated independently as individual lids. Examples in which lid  718 D operates as a single piece, compartments  716  and  717  can be sealed by an additional and separately openable seals, such as one time use foil or plastic seals applied at the packaging facility. In other examples, lids  720 A and  720 B can be operated independently of one another and perform as the factory seal and the re-sealable lid for compartments  716  and  717  respectively. 
     In some examples, box  710 C and  710 D can be molded as a single piece or can include multiple separately molded pieces that can be adhered, welded or otherwise affixed to another to form multi-compartment boxes. In some examples, it may be desirable for box  710 C and box  710 D to include pour spouts or anti-drip spouts to prevent spills or protect the outside of the box from being contaminated or stained by the contents contained in compartments  716  and  717 . Although only two compartments are described in reference to the boxes  710 C and  710 D are shown in  FIG. 8 , various other examples contemplate more than two compartments. 
       FIG. 9  shows a multi-compartment bag according to another example. Bag  910 A can have sides or walls made of any suitable non-rigid material, pliable material, or semi-rigid material for containing and maintaining freshness of the intended contents. For example, the material of the non-rigid or semi-rigid walls of bag  910 A can be plastic, plastic film, Mylar, paper or biodegradable or compostable cellulose or combination thereof. The material of the walls or sides of bag  910 A can include any type of flexible, non-rigid or semi-rigid material. Bag  910 B shows the internal construction of bag  910 A. 
     As shown, bag  910 B can include compartments  916  and  917  divided by dividing seam  918 . As in other examples, compartments  916  and  917  can be used to contain or package the same or different materials from one another. Seam  918  can be formed in bag  910 B to define separate compartments  916  and  917 . As such, bag  910 B can include compartments  916  and  917  as two separately openable pouches each having a separate portion of product therein. Seam  918  can be formed by crimping, sewing, welding or adhering the walls of bag  910 B to one another to form two compartments  916  and  917 . In some examples, seam  918  can include perforations that can be used to detach one of the compartments from the other compartments once the contents of the compartment are depleted. In such examples, the multi-compartment bag  910 B can be reduced in size as the contents are used to save storage space and for the convenience of the user. 
     User or consumers can open and access the contents of each compartment or pouch individually, while maintaining the freshness of the contents of the other pouch until the contents of the first pouch are depleted. 
     Bags  910 A and  910 B can be used to package various types of materials, products and foodstuffs. For example, bag  910 A can be used to package foods such as potato chips, pretzels, nuts, hot dogs, salad and other foods that are susceptible to spoilage or staleness upon exposure to oxygen and moisture. In related examples, each compartment of a multi-compartment bag can contain a full or partial loaf of sliced or unsliced bread. Examples are described in greater detail elsewhere with respect to  FIG. 13 . 
     Alternatively, bag  910 A can be used to package refill portions of regularly used household goods such as dish, laundry and hand soap, as well as condiments such as ketchup mustard or mayonnaise. In such examples, the use of a bag  910 A can help reduce the amount of packaging required for distributing regularly used household goods while also providing users and consumers with an economical quantity discount. 
       FIG. 10  shows another example that can include a multi-compartment container  1005  for packaging ice cream, though may be used to package other types of products. In such examples, multi-compartment container  1005  can include compartments  1006  and  1007  that can contain a portion of ice cream. Each compartment  1006  and  1007  separate from one another by divider  1008 , as described above in references to  FIG. 6 . Each compartment  1006  and  1007  can also be sealed with a plastic film, foil or Mylar™ single use cover and also include a reusable lid  1009 A or  1009 B respectively. The single use seals allows a consumer to open only one portion of ice cream contained in multi-compartment container  1005 , thus protecting the unopened portion from freezer burn or the formation of ice crystals that can develop despite the use of the reusable lids  1009 A and  1009 B, and thus prevent the degradation of the flavor and texture of ice cream. 
       FIG. 11  show another example of a multi-compartment container. In this example, multi-compartment container can include a composite container for beverages or other liquids, such as dairy products like milk, cream, half and half, and buttermilk, as well as fruit and vegetable juices, soy milk, almond milks, peanut milk and other specialty beverages. Such multi-compartment containers can include at least two compartments  1105  and  1107  separated by divider  1110  that can have screw top caps like lids  1106  and  1108  respectively. Multi-compartment container  1100  can include an integrated construction, or can include two separated formed containers that are joined together along divider  1110 . Multi-compartment container  1100  can include any of the aforementioned materials suitable for containing liquids. 
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart of a method  1200  for using a multi-compartment container according to various examples. At step  1210 , the consumer can obtain a product packaged in a multi-compartment container. In some examples, obtaining a packaged product having a multi-compartment container includes buying a product at a store or ordering a product online, while in other examples, the user can reuse a multi-compartment container refilled with the contents of his or her choice. A multi-compartment container can be used for home canning purposes. 
     At step  1220 , a user can open one of the compartments of the multi-compartment container as described in reference to the figures above. The contents of the first compartment of the multi-compartment container can be used either all at once or incrementally, as the contents of the multi-compartment container are needed. If the contents of the multi-compartment container are being used incrementally, the time required to complete the contents of the first compartment may be such that if the entirety of the contents of the container were exposed to air and moisture, the quality, freshness or potency of the contents might be compromised if it were not sealed in the second compartment. 
     In step  1230 , a user can use the product contained in the first compartment of the multi-compartment container until it is depleted. At this point the user can open a second compartment of the multi-compartment container at step  1240 . The contents of the second compartment of the multi-compartment container can then be used until it is depleted in step  1250 . Once the product contained in the second compartment of the multi-compartment container is depleted, the user can then use any other available compartments of the multi-compartment container still containing product. This is the case if the multi-compartment container includes more than two separate compartments. 
     At step  1260 , if there is yet another compartment of the multi-compartment container that still contains product, the user can repeat steps  1240  through  1260  until no product remains in any compartments of the multi-compartment container. Once all contents of the multi-compartment container are depleted, the user can discard, reuse or recycle the multi-compartment container in step  1270 . 
       FIG. 13A and 13B  depicts an illustrative example of a multi-compartment container (in this case a bag) used for packaging bread in accordance with at least some examples.  FIG. 13A  depicts the multi-compartment container  1300  from a first angle and  FIG. 13B  depicts the multi-compartment container from a second angle. In examples directed toward packaging bread shown in  FIG. 13A and 13B , the divider  1310  that separates compartments  1301  and  1302  of multi-compartment container  1300  may be a sheet of similar or dissimilar material as the walls of the multi-compartment bag to provide a less constricting volume within each compartment. Such dividers may be constructed according to various methods of attaching and pleating the bag material. The divider may be formed as the bag is opened, for example with the divider integral with outer wall and formed as the bag is opened to load with contents. The pleats of divider  1310  can be similar to pleats  1311 . The openable portions  1305  and  1307  of the multi-compartment container  1300  may include various closure systems to help preserve the freshness of the contents. Such closures can include twist ties  1309 , clips, and zip type seals. 
     In some examples, the multi-compartment container  1300  may include a number of perforations  1312  that can be used to separate compartments  1301  and  1302  for example to tear off excess packaging after a compartment has been used. For example, the outer material of the multi-compartment container  1300  may be separated from the multi-compartment container  1300  at a first perforation  1312  upon depleting the contents of a first compartment. Alternatively, the outer material of the multi-compartment container  1300  may be separated from the multi-compartment container  1300  at a second perforation  1312  upon depleting the contents of a second compartment. It should be noted that the compartments  1301  and  1302  of the multi-compartment container  1300  may be depleted in any order. In some examples, the perforations  1312  may be some predetermined distance from the divider wall  1310  on the outer surface of the multi-compartment container  1300 . In some examples, the multi-compartment container  1300  may include a single perforation  1312 . 
       FIG. 14  depicts an illustrative example of a divider wall for a multi-compartment container. More particularly, the divider wall  1310  may be an example of divider wall  1310  described in relation to  FIG. 13  above. As discussed in  FIG. 13  above, the divider wall  1310  may include a number of pleats  1402 . The pleats  1402  may be similar to pleats  1311 . For example, pleats  1402  may be made in the same position and style as pleats  1311 . 
       FIG. 15  depicts various examples of multi-compartment containers, including a tray  1502 , a carton container  1504 , tubs  1506 , a number of canister containers  1508 , clamshell packaging  1510 , and bags  1512  that are discussed individually in  FIGS. 16-24 . The illustrations of the various multi-compartment containers  1502 - 1512  demonstrate a number of advantages over conventional packaging as will be described herein. Each of the varieties of multi-compartment container, shown in  FIG. 15  can be made of various materials and include various seals and lids based on the type of product that they will be used to package. Furthermore, even though the examples shown  FIG. 15  each have two compartments, various examples can include more than two compartments. 
     In some examples, the multi-compartment container may be constructed of the same or different materials. In some examples, the multi-compartment container having multiple compartments, can be constructed of a single piece of cardboard, paper or paperboard, or plastic using known box folding pattern and construction techniques. In other examples, the multi-compartment container can be constructed by joining two separate containers having respective compartments. In other examples, the multi-compartment container can include a divider wall affixed to the interior of the multi-compartment container. The divider wall can define the separate compartments with identical or different volumes. According to other examples, the multi-compartment container can have more than two compartments. The divider wall can be oriented in any plane within the multi-compartment container, including planes parallel or perpendicular to the long or short axes of the multi-compartment container. The divider wall may be parallel or perpendicular to seams that provide access to the internal portions of compartments, such as perpendicular to a first and a second seam. The divider wall, can also have any shape suitable for separating the volumes of the multiple compartments of the multi-compartment container. The divider wall can be integrally formed with side walls or may be inserted after forming other portions of the containers. 
     The divider wall can have any shape to accommodate various products or the divide up the volume of the multi-compartment container into structurally or visually interesting or aesthetic volumes. Different configurations can provide novel ways to divide the interior volumes of the multi-compartment container. Such examples can be particularly desirable for multi-compartment containers with transparent or translucent side walls, such that the divider and the separate volumes within the multi-compartment container can be seen or observed from the exterior of the multi-compartment container. 
     Each of the multi-compartment containers  1502 - 1512  can be made of various materials. For example, the walls, sides, top, bottom, or any other portion of the multi-compartment container can include cardboard, Styrofoam, paperboard, metal, wood, plastic, foil, Mylar™ or some composite or combination of the foregoing materials. Any material suitable for making the structural features (e.g., walls, sides, top and bottom) rigid enough to contain the intended contents of the multi-compartment container can be used. 
     The multiple compartments of the multi-compartment container can be used to package the same or different products, materials or food stuffs. Each compartment can be opened, unsealed or accessed individually. In such examples, while the contents of one compartment are in the process of being used or consumed, the contents of the other compartment remain sealed to protect freshness or potency. Such configurations have the advantage of providing larger quantities of the product to be packaged and sold with less potential of the contents losing freshness or potency due to exposure to air. From a consumer point of view, economical quantities of products can be purchased with a lower chance that the purchased product be lost to waste. These advantages provide potential for greater profitability on the side of the manufacturer or packager by creating a more desirable packaged product and thus higher demand, at the same time as providing potential cost savings of bulk quantity purchases for the user or consumer. As used herein, the terms consumer can include any type of entity, including, but not limited to, individuals, families, restaurant, food preparation professional, chefs, workers, hospitals, hotels, etc. 
     When one desires access to a product, one simply opens one compartment of the container. Thus, the second compartment remains unopened, thereby protecting the product therein from the elements and helping maintain freshness. When access to the second compartment is desired, the multi-unit storage device is “flipped” and the second compartment is opened. Each compartment may be closed with lids if provided. One lid may be provided and used for both containers if desired. 
     Additionally, each compartment may be filled with a different product if it is so desired. For example, one compartment may include potato chips while the second container may include corn chips. Each compartment may, in some examples, be designed to hold different types of food products. For example, the canister containers  1508  may include a first side for holding snacks with a snap on lid while a second side is for holding liquids, with a screw on lid. In a further example, the canister containers  1508  may include a first insulated side having insulated walls, such as for containing and maintaining hot or cold items while the second side may be uninsulated. In some examples, both sides may be insulated. In some examples the sides of the containers  1508  may be tapered, sloped, curved, straight, or otherwise shaped. 
     The multi-compartment containers described herein provide additional benefits beyond freshness, portioning of food, and convenience. In some examples, such as with bags  1512 , sharing of the food product may be provided in a manner to prevent contamination, for example in case one or more people wish to share a food product but may be sick. In a particular example, the bags  1512  may include a food product such as chips that may be shared, with one or more people removing chips from the interior of the bag. With the multi-compartment containers, each person may have their own portion that is untouched by another person, thereby preventing any spreading of illness from person to person through the shared food item. 
       FIG. 16  depicts a view of a multi-compartment container  1600  in which multiple compartments are divided via a divider wall in accordance with at least some examples. The multi-compartment container  1600  shown in  FIG. 16  may be an example of the tubs  1506  of  FIG. 15 . In some examples, each of the multiple compartments may be independently sealed so that accessing one of the compartments does not compromise the contents of the other compartment.  FIG. 16  depicts top-down views  1602  (A and B) of the multi-compartment container  1600 , as well as side views  1604  (A and B) of the multi-compartment container  1600 . In  FIG. 16 , views  1602 (A) and  1604 (A) depict the multi-compartment container  1600  without seal  1606  whereas views  1602 (B) and  1604 (B) depict the multi-compartment container  1600  with seal  1606 . In some examples, the outer walls of a container body of the multi-compartment container  1600  may be parallel. For example, the multi-compartment container  1600  may be cylindrical. In some examples, the outer walls of the multi-compartment container  1600  may be slanted. For example, the multi-compartment container  1600  may be conical. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 16 , multiple compartments may be formed in the multi-compartment container  1600  via the inclusion of a divider wall  1608 . The divider wall  1608  may be a vertical divider. As depicted, divider wall  2168  may be in contact with the outer wall, bottom, and top of the multi-compartment container  1600 . In some examples, the divider wall  1608  may include an inner portion  1610  and a reinforcement lip  1612 , where the reinforcement lip  1612  is thicker than the inner portion  1610  and runs along an outer edge of the divider wall  1608 . The divider wall  1608  may divide the multiple compartments into roughly equal volumes in some examples. In some examples, the divider wall  1608  may divide the multiple compartments into different volumes, for example with a first volume larger than a second volume. 
     In some examples, the multi-compartment container  1600  may be configured such that each compartment may be independently sealed such that each compartment may be independently accessible. In some examples, a seal  1606  may be adhered to the outer walls and divider wall  1608  of the multi-compartment container  1600  via contact points represented as arrows  1614 . In some examples, the outer wall may include a lip  1616  which provides surface area for a contact point  1614  at which the seal  1606  may be adhered to the outer wall. Likewise, the reinforcement lip  1612  may provide surface area for a contact point  1614  at which the seal  1606  may be adhered to the divider wall  1608 . The seal  1606  may couple to the reinforcement lip  1612 . In some examples, seal  1606  may be a single sheet of plastic which may form multiple seals (e.g., a first seal  1607 ( a ) and a second seal  1607 ( b )). The first seal  1607 ( a ) and the second seal  1607 ( b ) may each couple to the reinforcement lip  1612 . In these examples, the single sheet of plastic may include perforations between the first seal  1607 ( a ) and the second seal  1607 ( b ) that can be used to detach the first seal from the first compartment without compromising the integrity of the second seal on the second compartment or disturbing the second seal. In some examples, the first seal  1607 ( a ) or the second seal  1607 ( b ) may be detached from the respective first and second compartments without breaking the other seal. In some examples, the first seal  1607 ( a ) or the second seal  1607 ( b ) may be detached from the respective first compartment or the second compartment without disturbing the second seal. 
     Seal  1606  may be made of any suitable flexible material capable of preventing the passage of air or liquid into a compartment of the multi-compartment container  1600 . For example, the seal  1606  may be a thin layer of plastic. In some examples, seal  1606  may include a perforation  1618  at which the seal  1606  may be separated. For example, the seal  1606  may be a single plastic sheet which is adhered to each of the outer walls (via lip  1616 ) and the divider wall (via reinforcement lip  1612 ) and which is perforated along the divider wall  1608 . In these examples, the seal  1606  may be broken at the perforations such that removing the seal  1606  from a first compartment will not remove the seal  1606  from the second compartment. 
     In examples that include perforation  1618 , the perforation  1618  may be added to the seal  1606  before or after the seal  1606  is adhered to the multi-compartment container  1600 . In some examples, a single reusable closure element (e.g., a plastic snap-type lid) may be fitted over the outer walls of the multi-compartment container  1600  such that air exposure to the multiple compartments is restricted by the plastic lid. In some examples, the seal  1606  may cover a single compartment of the multi-compartment container  1600  such that a first compartment remains sealed via the seal  1606  and a second compartment is sealed using a lid. 
       FIG. 17  depicts variations in design which can be implemented into the multi-compartment container  1600  of  FIG. 16  above described in accordance with at least some examples. The multi-compartment container  1700  of  FIG. 17  includes a divider wall  1708  similar to the divider wall  1608  and a reinforcement lip  1712  similar to the lip  1612  of  FIG. 16 . As depicted in  1702 (A), the multi-compartment container  1700  may include exterior corners which are rounded or beveled as shown at  1704 . Such a feature may advantageously enable some types of contents to be removed from a compartment of the multi-compartment container  1700  more efficiently. In some examples, interior corners, such as at  1712  may likewise be rounded to further enable some types of contents to be removed with ease. 
     Additionally, as depicted in  1702 (A), a reinforcement lip  1712  may not be centered on the divider wall  1708 . For example, the reinforcement lip  1712  may be skewed or biased to one side or the other, such that the reinforcement lip  1712  disproportionately covers a particular compartment or compartments as opposed to other compartments. 
     As depicted in  1702 (B), the multi-compartment container  1700  may include sides  1706  which are sloped or straight (e.g., parallel sides). Note that sloped sides  1706  may also advantageously enable some types of contents to be removed from a compartment of the multi-compartment container  1700  more efficiently. 
     As also depicted in  1702 (B), the divider wall  1708  may be positioned in any suitable manner. For example, the divider wall  1708  may be positioned off-center, such that a first compartment  1716  varies in size from a second compartment  1710 . The divider wall  1708  also need not be in contact with the side walls of the multi-compartment container  1700 . For example, the divider wall  1708  may run from a first corner of the multi-compartment container  1700  to a second corner to divide the multi-compartment container  1700  diagonally. Additionally, a divider wall  1708  may take any suitable shape. For example, the divider wall  1708  may be curved or otherwise non-linear. 
       FIG. 18  depicts an illustrative example in which the multi-compartment container  1800  is a tray having a divider in accordance with examples. The multi-compartment container  1800  of  FIG. 18  may be an example of the tray  1502  of  FIG. 15 . Numerous views of the multi-compartment container  1800  are presented. more particularly,  FIG. 18  depicts a top-down view  1802 (A) of the multi-compartment container  1800 , as well as an expanded view  1802 (B) of the multi-compartment container  1800 , and a side view  1802 (C) of the multi-compartment container  1800 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , the multi-compartment container  1800  may include a film  1804  (e.g., a plastic film) or other suitable means for sealing the compartments of the multi-compartment container  1800 . the film  1804  may further include a perforation  1806 , which divides the film. The placement of the perforation  1806  may correspond to the location of a reinforcement lip  1808  located on a divider wall  1810  of the multi-compartment container  1800 . In some examples, the perforation  1806  may be added to the film  1804  after the film  1804  has been affixed to (e.g., sealed to) the multi-compartment container  1800 . In some examples, the compartments, divider wall  1810 , side walls, reinforcement lip  1808 , and other features of the multi-compartment container  1800  of  FIG. 18  may include one or more variations as described with respect to other examples herein, for example to include different positions of the divider wall  1810 , curves and slopes on side walls, and other such variations as described herein. 
       FIG. 19  depicts an illustrative example in which the multi-compartment container  1900  is a carton container having a divider in accordance with examples. The multi-compartment container  1900  of  FIG. 19  may be an example of the carton container  1504  of  FIG. 15 . In this example, multi-compartment container  1900  can include a composite container for beverages or other liquids, such as dairy products like milk, cream, half and half, and buttermilk, as well as fruit and vegetable juices, soy milk, almond milks, peanut milk, and other specialty beverages. Such multi-compartment containers can include at least two compartments separated by divider  1904 , and can have spouts  1906  through which contents are dispensed, which may be sealed using replaceable lids (e.g., screw top caps). A first spout  1906  is coupled to a first compartment  1902  while a second spout  1912  is coupled to a second compartment  1912 . Multi-compartment container  1900  can include an integrated construction, or can include two separated or separable formed containers that are joined together along divider  1904 . Multi-compartment container  1900  can be constructed of any materials suitable for the purposes of the multi-compartment container  1900  (e.g., containing liquids). 
     It should be noted that divider wall  1904  may be positioned within the multi-compartment container  1900  in such a way that the volume of the separate compartments is not equivalent. For example, the divider wall  1904  may be placed some distance  1908  away from one side of the multi-compartment container  1900  and some distance  1910  away from an opposite side of the multi-compartment container  1900 . The divider wall  1904  results in a first compartment  1902  and a second compartment  1912  of the multi-compartment container  1900 . The volume of the two resulting compartments  1902  and  1912  of the multi-compartment container  1900  would then vary based on each of the respective distances  1908  and  1910 . The first compartment may enclose a first volume while the second compartment encloses a second volume, the first volume greater than the second volume. In some examples, this may enable the multi-compartment container  1900  to include different portions of different contents. For example, the multi-compartment container  1900  may include, in the first compartment  1902 , a large portion of milk and, in the second compartment  1912 , a smaller portion of cream. The first compartment  1902  encloses a first volume while the second compartment  1912  encloses a second volume. The first volume and second volume may be identical or may be different as described herein. 
     In some examples, the spouts  1906  may each be placed on the same side, e.g., on a single side, of the multi-compartment container  1900  (e.g., in the manner depicted in  FIG. 19 ). If the multi-compartment container  1900  is being used to store multiple liquids, this may allow a user to pour a mix of those liquids which is proportionally appropriate without needing to measure the contents being poured. For example, if the multi-compartment container  1900  includes both milk and cream in the respective separate compartments, a user could remove each of the lids sealing the spouts  1906  and pour both the milk and cream at the same time, enabling the user to obtain half and half without the need for measurement. In this way, the multi-compartment container  1900  would enable a user to obtain milk, cream, or half and half from the same container depending upon the needs of the user. In some examples, one or more of the spouts  1906  may be configured to dispense the contents at a different rate than the other spout. The spouts  1906  may include different opening areas, such as different area through which liquid may exit the container. The opening area may be fixed or adjustable in some examples. For example, one spout may include a larger or smaller opening than the other spout. In a particular example, the first spout may have a first opening area through which a first liquid is dispensed while the second spout has a second opening area through which a second liquid is dispensed, the first opening area greater than the second opening area. This would enable a user to obtain, with a single pour, a mixture which is proportionally constant, such as at a fixed proportion or an adjustable proportion by opening or restricting a valve of the spouts  1906 . Note that this could easily be expanded to more complex mixtures. For example, a multi-compartment container  1900  which includes vodka, coffee liqueur, and milk in three separate compartments (having two dividers) could be used to pour a White Russian which is proportionally appropriate in a single pour and without taking measurements. 
       FIG. 20  depicts an illustrative example of multi-compartment containers  2002  and  2012  which may be referred to as canister containers, each having a divider in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. The multi-compartment containers  2002  and  2012  of  FIG. 20  may be an example of the canister containers  1508  of  FIG. 15 . In some examples, the multi-compartment containers  2002  and  2012  consists of two containers  2014  and  2016  or cans which have been joined. For example, the containers  2014  and  2016  may be made of metal, in which case they may be welded together at their respective bottom portions (i.e., the portion opposite the opening). In some examples any other suitable material may be used. Glue or some other type of adhesive may also be used. Examples of separate containers that can be joined include coffee cans, nut cans, potato chip cans and other types of snacks. In some examples, a divider wall  2004  may be inserted into a compartment or tube in order to form the multi-compartment container  2002 . The multi-compartment container  2002  may also be made as a unitary body of plastic or other suitable material. Examples of such a container include orange juice cans, nut cans, coffee, some potato snack cans and other snack cans. 
     The openings at either end of the multi-compartment container  2002  can be sealed with a film (e.g., metal, foil, plastic or any other suitable material). Additionally, one or more lids  2006  or  2008  can be provided for closing or resealing the multi-compartment container  2002 . The lid  2006  may be a first seal coupled to the first compartment  2014  while the lid  2008  is a second seal coupled to the second compartment  2016 . The first seal may be disposed on a first end of the multi-compartment container  2002  while the second seal may be disposed on a second end of the multi-compartment container  2002 . Examples of suitable lids may include a snap-type sealable lid  2008  which is a flexible lid capable of being “snapped” over an opening of the multi-compartment container  2002  to form a seal, and may be referred to as a snap on lid. A second example of a suitable lid may include a screw type cap  2008  such as a threaded connection that is configured to seal an opening of the multi-compartment container  2002  when threaded onto corresponding threads  2010  of the opening. In some examples, a single lid may be provided which fits over both openings of the multi-compartment container  2002 . For example, after removing the contents of one compartment of the multi-compartment container  2002 , the user may remove a film sealing the second compartment of the multi-compartment container  2002  in order to remove the contents in that compartment. In this example, the user may use the same lid to reseal each of the first and second compartment of the multi-compartment container  2002 . 
     In some examples, the first container  2014  and the second container  2016  may be identical to one another while in some examples the containers  2014  and  2016  may differ in one or more ways. As depicted in  FIG. 20 , the lids may be of a different style. The different style of lids may accommodate different food products, for example with solid food products in the first container  2014  and liquid food products in the second container  2016 . In some examples, the first container  2014  may be a thin-walled container for maintaining food products at an ambient temperature while the second container  2016  may be insulated with insulated walls to maintain food products above or below an ambient temperature. In some examples, both of the first and second containers  2014  and  2016  may be insulated, configured to hold solid or liquid food products, or otherwise configured for storing various items. 
     As depicted by multi-compartment container  2012 , the multi-compartment container  2002  need not include straight surfaces. For example, the outer walls of the multi-compartment container  2012  may be curved or indented. As would be appreciated by one skilled in the art, this would enable easier handling of the multi-compartment container  2012  by a user. In some examples, the walls may taper from each end to a wider middle portion, such that the container fits, in either orientation, in a cup holder. 
     In accordance with examples described herein, each compartment of the multi-compartment container  2002  may be filled with a product and then individually vacuum, nitrogen flush or otherwise sealed. This may be done before or after the two containers are coupled to one another. Each compartment may be filled with the same product or different products. Examples of products include, but are not limited to, coffee, nuts, potato chips, candy, tea, dried fruit, etc. In some examples, the two compartments may be suited to store different types of content. For example, a first compartment of the compartments may be suited to store liquid while a second compartment is suited or configured to store dry goods. This may enable the multi-compartment container  2002  to store a dry snack (such as nuts) as well as a beverage. Each of the first compartment and the second compartment may be independently accessible. 
     In various examples, the first compartment  2014  and the second compartment  2016  of the multi-compartment container  2002  include hollow compartments with a wall thickness, w, dimensioned to produce the structural rigidity suitable for containing and protecting products packaged therein, maintaining optional vacuum or pressure or stacking of multiple containers during shipping and display. Either compartment can include an interior surface and an exterior surface with similar or dissimilar materials. For example, the exterior surface can be coated in a plastic film while the interior surface can be coated with a metal foil. The wall thickness, w, can depend on multiple factors, such as the intended use of the multi-compartment container  2002 , the material of the compartments and the intended packaging method. For example, the wall thickness, w, for a cardboard compartment can be thicker than that of a metal compartment, especially if the resulting multi-compartment container  2002  is intended to be vacuum, pressure or nitrogen flushed sealed. Nitrogen flush sealing replaces the air inside the container to remove oxygen and moisture to help better preserve the freshness of the packaged products. 
     When fully assembled, multi-compartment container  2002  can have one compartment, or container, with walls of uniform diameter defined by the inner surface of compartment  2014  and a bottom defined by a first side of the divider wall  2004  and another compartment, or container, with walls defined by the inner surface of compartment  2016  and the bottom defined by a second side of the divider wall  2004 . In some examples, the first compartment  2014  and the second compartment  2016 , each having some wall thickness w, may be coupled to the surfaces of opposite sides of the divider wall  2004 . The divider wall may define the first compartment and the second compartment, wherein each of the first compartment and the second compartment are independently accessible. 
     In other examples, in which the walls are plastic or other material, the compartments can have non-uniform diameter from one end to the other or other arbitrary shape as determined by the aesthetics or design of the packaging. For example, the plastic walls can have depressions or impressions that make it easier to hold or handle the multi-compartment container, such as depicted with multi-compartment container  2012 . Similarly, the compartments can any shape required by the product or the needs of the aesthetic design with two or more separately sealable/openable compartments, i.e. the shape of a cartoon character or trademark character. 
       FIG. 21  depicts an illustrative example in which the multi-compartment container  2100  is a clamshell package having a divider in accordance with examples that can be suitable for packaging dry or wet products. The multi-compartment container  2100  may be an example of the clamshell packaging  1510  of  FIG. 15 . Numerous views of the multi-compartment container  2100  are presented. more particularly,  FIG. 21  depicts a top-down view  2102 (A) of the multi-compartment container  2100 , as well as a side view  2102 (B) of the multi-compartment container  2100 . In some examples, the clamshell packaging  1510  may not include a hinge but may have a lid that covers the openings of the multiple compartments, in a manner similar to the trays of  FIG. 18 . 
     By using an appropriate plastic or other polymer, multi-compartment container  2100  can be used to package or contain various types of liquids and wet products that require special handling or an airtight seal to maintain usefulness. Compartments  2104  and  2106  can be sealed by an additional and separately openable seals, such as one time use foil or plastic seals, which may be applied to the multi-compartment container  2100  at the packaging facility. In some examples, the compartments  2104  and  2106  may be sealed using a single sheet of film  2108  affixed to a lip surrounding each of the respective compartments. The sheet of film  2108  may include a perforation  2110  which enables the film to be removed from one compartment without being removed from the other compartment(s). Additionally, by using a clear plastic in the construction of the multi-compartment container  2102 , a consumer (or other person) can visually ascertain a status of the contents of the multi-compartment container  2102 . In some examples, both the multi-compartment container  2102  itself and the film  2108  may be perforated as depicted at  2110 . 
       FIG. 22  depicts an illustrative example of a technique by which the multi-compartment container  2100  of  FIG. 21  may be manipulated to provide for more secure storage in accordance with at least some examples. More particularly,  FIG. 22  depicts a series of positions  2202  in which the multi-compartment container  2100  may be put in order to achieve different objectives. 
     As depicted at  2202 (A), the multi-compartment container  2100  may be positioned such that either compartment  2104  or  2106  may be accessed by a user. In this position, it is envisioned that a user may be capable of removing the film  2108  from one or more of the compartments in order to consume the contents of that compartment. Whether the contents have been removed from the compartments or not, the multi-compartment container  2100  may be moved to position  2202 (B) by pivoting one of the compartments around a hinge  2204 . The first compartment  2014  and the second compartment  2106  may be attached via the hinge  2204  such that the first compartment  2104  is configured to rotate relative to the second compartment  2106 . In some examples, the first compartment  2104  and the second compartment  2106  may each be sealed by a film covering. The film covering may include perforations between the first compartment  2104  and the second compartment  2106  to independently seal each of the first compartment  2104  and the second compartment  2106 . The hinge  2204  may be a living hinge, formed of the materials of the multi-compartment container  2100 , be integral, secured, fastened, removable, or otherwise connected to the multi-compartment container  2100 . This movement may be continued until position  2202 (C) is achieved. In position  2202 (C), a user may be prevented from easily accessing either of the compartments  2104  or  2106 . This position of the multi-compartment container  2100  may also prevent inadvertent removal of the film  2108  which forms the seal on either compartment. The hinge  2204 , or a portion of the multi-compartment container  2100  between the first compartment  2104  and the second compartment  2016  may include perforations such that the first compartment  2014  is configured to detach from the second compartment  2106 . 
     In some examples, the multi-compartment container  2100  may include a locking mechanism or locking device designed to keep the multi-compartment container  2100  in position  2202 (C). The locking device may resist rotation of the first compartment  2104  relative to the second compartment  2106 . Such a locking mechanism may include a cavity  2206  such as a recess, which may be formed as a recess in the lip around a perimeter of the multi-compartment container  2100  adjacent the second compartment  2106 , and protrusion  2208  adjacent the first compartment  2104  capable of forming a lock  2210 . The protrusion  2208  may be releasably secured in the cavity  2206 . In such a lock  2210 , the protrusion  2208  may be inserted into the cavity  2206  and may “snap” into place when position  2202 (C) is achieved. The protrusion  2208  may be releasably secured in the recess, e.g., cavity  2206  when the locking device is engaged. When the locking mechanism is engaged, the multi-compartment container may be retained in a closed configuration. This may provide resistance to removing the multi-compartment container  2100  from position  2202 (C), which may also prevent an inadvertent opening of one of compartments  2104  or  2106  or rotation of components of the multi-compartment container  2100  relative to one another. 
       FIG. 23  depicts an illustrative example in which the multi-compartment container is a bag having a divider wall in accordance with examples. The multi-compartment containers  2302 (A) and  2302 (B) shown in  FIG. 23  may be an example of the bags  1512  of  FIG. 15 . Depicted in  FIG. 23  are separate versions of a multi-compartment container which may be implemented as a bag. These separate versions include  2302 (A) and  2302 (B) (collectively multi-compartment container  2302 ). Multi-compartment container  2302  can have sides or walls made of any suitable pliable material, e.g., a non-rigid or semi-rigid material for containing and maintaining freshness of the intended contents. For example, the material of the non-rigid or semi-rigid walls of multi-compartment container  2302  can be plastic, plastic film, Mylar™, foil, paper or biodegradable or compostable cellulose or combination thereof. The material of the walls or sides of multi-compartment container  2302  can include any type of flexible, pliable, non-rigid, or semi-rigid material. 
     As shown, multi-compartment container  2302  can have at least a first compartment  2304  and a second compartment  2306 . In some examples, compartments  2304  and  2306  can be formed by crimping, sewing, or heat welding the non-rigid or semi-rigid walls of multi-compartment container  2302  at divider  2308  which may serve as a divider wall. Multi-compartment container  2302  can have a top and/or bottom end seam, which is sealed in the same manner. The seam may be a first seam providing access to a first compartment while a second seam provides access to a second compartment. As depicted in  2302 (A), the divider  2308  may divide the multi-compartment container  2302  horizontally, resulting in compartments  2304  and  2306  being arranged vertically. In other examples, divider  2308  can be oriented in the longitudinal direction, such that the divider  2308  lies between, and perpendicular to, seals  2310 , resulting in compartments  2304  and  2306  being arranged horizontally as depicted in  2302 (B). It should be noted that arranging a divider in a longitudinal direction, as depicted in  2302 (B), would result in a package which is easier to place on a retail shelf. In some examples, one or more compartments ( 2304  and/or  2306 ) can include re-closable seams or seals  2310  (e.g.,  2310 (A) and  2310 (B)), such as zipper-type or reusable adhesive-type closures, which allow access to the respective compartment. In some examples the compartments  2304  and/or  2306  may not include re-sealable seals  2310  and may include a single use seal instead that is cut or torn away. 
     As in other examples, compartments  2304  and  2306  can be used to contain or package the same or different materials from one another. Divider  2308  can be formed in multi-compartment container  2302  to define separate compartments  2304  and  2306 . As such, multi-compartment container  2302  can include compartments  2304  and  2306  as two separately openable pouches each having a separate portion of product therein. Divider  2308  can be formed by crimping, sewing, welding or adhering the walls of multi-compartment container  2302  to one another to form two compartments  2304  and  2306 . In some examples, divider  2308  can include perforations  2312  along a length of the divider  2308  that can be used to detach one of the compartments from the other compartments once the contents of the compartment are depleted. In some examples, the perforations may enable separating the first compartment and the second compartment along the divider  2308 . In some examples, the divider  2308  may have a width with a single perforation down a center portion of the divider  2308  to separate the components. In such examples, the multi-compartment container  2302  can be reduced in size as the contents are used to save storage space and for the convenience of the user. Accordingly, users (e.g., consumers) can open and access the contents of each compartment or pouch individually, while maintaining the freshness of the contents of the other pouch until the contents of the first pouch are depleted. 
     Multi-compartment container  2302  can be used to package various types of materials, products and foodstuffs. For example, multi-compartment container  2302  can be used to package foods such as product, vegetables, potato chips, pretzels, nuts, hot dogs, salad and other foods that are susceptible to spoilage or staleness upon exposure to oxygen and moisture. Alternatively, multi-compartment container  2302  can be used to package refill portions of regularly used household goods such as dish, laundry and hand soap, as well as condiments such as ketchup mustard or mayonnaise. In such examples, the use of a multi-compartment container  2302  can help reduce the amount of packaging required for distributing regularly used household goods while also providing users and consumers with an economical quantity discount. 
       FIG. 24  depicts an illustrative example of an example of a multi-compartment container  2400  in accordance with some examples. In such examples, multi-compartment container  2400  can include compartments  2404  and  2406  that can contain a portion of some content. Each compartment  2404  and  2406  may be separated from one another by divider  2408 , as described above in references to  FIG. 23 . 
     In some examples, the multi-compartment container  2400  may include a re-closable seam providing access to compartment  2404 , such as seal  2410 . The multi-compartment container  2400  may include a perforation  2408  that enables the compartment  2404  to be removed from the multi-compartment container  2400  as depicted at  2402 (B). In some examples, the divider  2408  of the multi-compartment container  2400  may be formed of a re-closable seam or seal  2410 , such that once the first compartment  2404  has been removed from the multi-compartment container  2400 , the second compartment  2406  may be accessed via that divider  2408 . For example, the re-closable seam at the divider  2408  may be pulled apart to access the compartment  2406 . In some examples, a user may be required to cut or slice open the re-closable seam at the divider  2408 . 
       FIG. 25  depicts a flowchart of a method  2500  for using a multi-compartment container according to various examples. At step  2510 , the consumer can obtain a product packaged in a multi-compartment container. In some examples, obtaining a packaged product having a multi-compartment container includes buying a product at a store or ordering a product online, while in other examples, the user can reuse a multi-compartment container refilled with the contents of his or her choice. 
     At step  2520 , a user can open one of the compartments of the multi-compartment container as described in reference to the figures above. The contents of the first compartment of the multi-compartment container can be used either all at once or incrementally, as the contents of the multi-compartment container are needed. If the contents of the multi-compartment container are being used incrementally, the time required to complete the contents of the first compartment may be such that if the entirety of the contents of the container were exposed to air and moisture, the quality, freshness or potency of the contents might be compromised if it were not sealed in the second compartment. 
     In step  2530 , a user can use the product contained in the first compartment of the multi-compartment container until it is depleted. At this point the user may determine if there are any remaining unopened compartments of the multi-compartment container. If so, then the user may, at step  2550 , remove the depleted compartment from the multi-compartment container. For example, the user may tear the depleted compartment from the multi-compartment container via a perforation included on such. 
     The method may then return to  2520  and the user can open a second compartment of the multi-compartment container. The contents of the second compartment of the multi-compartment container can then be used until it is depleted. Once the product contained in the second compartment of the multi-compartment container is depleted, the user can then use any other available compartments of the multi-compartment container still containing product. This is the case if the multi-compartment container includes more than two separate compartments. The user can repeat steps  2520  through  2540  until no product remains in any compartments of the multi-compartment container. 
     At step  2560 , Once all contents of the multi-compartment container are depleted (e.g., there is not another compartment of the multi-compartment container that still contains product), the user can discard, reuse or recycle the multi-compartment. 
       FIG. 26  shows views of a multi-compartment container  2600  according to some examples. The multi-compartment container  2600  may be used for any of the purposes described herein. For example, the multi-compartment container  2600  may be used for holding fluids, including perishable fluids, such as milk, juice, cooking oil, combinations thereof, and the like. In one example, one compartment of the multi-compartment container  2600  may hold one material, such as regular milk, while another compartment of the multi-compartment container  2600  may hold another material, such as chocolate milk. However, dry goods, such as breakfast cereal, flour, sugar, etc. may be stored in the multi-compartment container  2600 . The multi-compartment container  2600  may be made of any of the materials discussed herein, combinations thereof, and the like. For example, the multi-compartment container  2600  may be constructed from a polymer, paper, fiber, and/or metal material by such techniques as molding, casting, stamping, bonding, welding,  3 D printing, combinations thereof, and/or the like. In some examples, the multi-compartment container  2600  may be made of a liquid proof material. 
     The multi-compartment container  2600  may include a first compartment  2605  separated from a second compartment  2610 . In some examples, the first compartment  2605  may be fluidly separated from the second compartment  2610  (i.e., the divider  2615  is impermeable to liquid). The first compartment  2605  may be separated from the second compartment  2610  by a divider  2615 . The divider  2615  may be internal to the multi-compartment container  2600  in some examples. In some examples, the divider  2615  may be partially external to the multi-compartment container  2600 , e.g., creating a rib on the outside of the multi-compartment container  2600 , such that the divider  2615  is evident upon external inspection of the multi-compartment container  2600 . For example, such examples may make it clear to consumers that the multi-compartment container  2600  indeed includes more than one separate compartment. Although shown and described as being vertically oriented, it is contemplated that the divider  2615  may be in any orientation, e.g., horizontal, vertical, at an angle, etc., and in any suitable shape. The divider  2615  may be made of the same or a different material than the remainder of the multi-compartment container  2600 . In some examples, the multi-compartment container  2600  may be contoured inward, i.e., have a smaller depth along at least a portion of the multi-compartment container  2600  between the first compartment  2605  and the second compartment  2610 , as shown in section B-B, which is a front or back-facing cross-section of the multi-compartment container  2600  about axis B. This area  2665  of lesser depth of the multi-compartment container  2600  may or may not form a part of the first compartment  2605  and the second compartment  2610 . As shown in section F-F, which is a lateral cross-section of the multi-compartment container  2600  about axis F, this area  2665  of lesser depth may form a part of the first compartment  2605  on one side of the divider  2615 , and form a part of the second compartment  2610  on the other side of the divider  2615 . In some examples, this area  2665  of lesser depth may be solid, i.e., not hollow, such that it cannot hold a product therein. 
     In some examples, the compartments  2605 ,  2610 , may each hold half of a typical consumer volume container. For example, each compartment  2605 ,  2610  may hold a half gallon of contents, for a total of one gallon of contents in the multi-compartment container  2600 . In another example, each compartment  2605 ,  2610  may hold a liter of soda, for a total of two liters of soda in the multi-compartment container  2600 . However, each compartment  2605 ,  2610  may hold any volume of contents, including different volumes of contents in each compartment. In other words, although each volume is shown to be approximately equal in  FIG. 26 , it is contemplated that the volumes of each compartment  2605 ,  2610  may be different. In addition, although shown as having two compartments, separated by one divider  2615 , it is contemplated that the multi-compartment container  2600  may include any number of compartments separated by any number of dividers. 
     The multi-compartment container  2600  may include several external surfaces. In some examples, the external surfaces may be continuously and/or seamlessly joined. The external surfaces may include a front surface  2620  opposite a rear surface  2625 , a bottom surface  2630  opposite a top surface  2635 , and lateral surfaces  2640 ,  2645  opposite to one another. In some examples, the front surface  2620  and the rear surface  2625  may have non-uniform or non-planar surface structures in order to reduce internal volume of the multi-compartment container  2600 . The divider  2615  may be at least partially internal to these external surfaces, as described above. 
     A first spout  2650  may be connected to the first compartment  2605 , e.g., fluidly connected. The first spout  2650  may include a first closure, such as a twist off cap or seal, that is single use or reusable. In some examples, the first spout  2650  may include more than one closure, such as a single use closure covered by a reusable closure. In some examples, the first closure may fluidly seal the first compartment  2605 . 
     A second spout  2655  may be connected to the second compartment  2610 , e.g., fluidly connected. The second spout  2655  may include a second closure, such as a cap or seal, that is single use or reusable. In some examples, the second spout  2655  may include more than one closure, such as a single use closure covered by a reusable closure. In some examples, the second closure may fluidly seal the second compartment  2610 . 
     In some examples, a handle  2660  may connect the first spout  2650  to the second spout  2655 , while being elevated above the top surface  2635  such that a gap is present between the handle  2660  and the top surface  2635 . In some examples, the handle  2660  may be formed from depressions in the front surface  2620  and the rear surface  2625  without creating a gap. The handle  2660  may be hollow and include an extension of the divider  2615  so as to prevent mixing of the contents of the first compartment  2605  and the second compartment  2610 . In some examples, the handle may be internally solid so as to prevent mixing of the contents of the first compartment  2605  and the second compartment  2610 . 
     The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive. Many variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure. 
     One or more features from any example may be combined with one or more features of any other example without departing from the scope of the description. For example, any of the above-described multi-compartment containers can be combined with any other suitable example or type of multi-compartment container in any suitable manner in methods or systems according to examples described herein. As an illustration, a multi-compartment container can have a first box type compartment and second bag type compartment. Alternatively, one compartment can have plastic or composite walls to contain wet products while the attached second compartment can have cardboard walls to contain dry products. 
     A recitation of “a”, “an” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more” unless specifically indicated to the contrary.