Finite and infinite collections of multiplication modules

All rings are commutative with identity and all modules are unitary. In this note we give some properties of a finite collection of submodules such that the sum of any two distinct members is multiplication, generalizing those which characterize arithmetical rings. Using these properties we are able to give a concise proof of Patrick Smith's theorem stating conditions ensuring that the sum and intersection of a finite collection of multiplication submodules is a multiplication module. We give necessary and sufficient conditions for the intersection of a collection (not necessarily finite) of multiplication modules to be a multiplication module, generalizing Smith's result. We also give sufficient conditions on the sum and intersection of a collection (not necessarily finite) for them to be multiplication. We apply D. D. Anderson's new characterization of multiplication modules to investigate the residual of multiplication modules.