Patents by Inventor Dean Garza

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

  • Publication number: 20230382610
    Abstract: A recloseable lid for closing an open top of a cup terminating in an annular upper edge includes a cup mount defining an annular channel configured to receive the annular upper edge of the cup and a cap having an annular side wall extending upwardly from the cup mount and terminating in a top having an annular floor spaced above the cup mount. A drink opening is disposed in the top and a plug assembly having a drink opening plug is provided. The drink opening plug can be selectively moveable between a closed position in which the drink opening plug is received within the drink opening for closing the drink opening and an open position in which the drink opening plug is not disposed within the drink opening. The lid can also include a plug retainer disposed in the cap and configured to retain the drink opening plug in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: AARON LAYOS, CHENGTAO LI, ROBERT BRUBAKER, JACOB PURCELL, DEAN GARZA
  • Patent number: 11787605
    Abstract: A recloseable lid for closing an open top of a cup terminating in an annular upper edge includes a cup mount defining an annular channel configured to receive the annular upper edge of the cup and a cap having an annular side wall extending upwardly from the cup mount and terminating in a top having an annular floor spaced above the cup mount. A drink opening is disposed in the top and a plug assembly having a drink opening plug is provided. The drink opening plug can be selectively moveable between a closed position in which the drink opening plug is received within the drink opening for closing the drink opening and an open position in which the drink opening plug is not disposed within the drink opening. The lid can also include a plug retainer disposed in the cap and configured to retain the drink opening plug in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Layos, Chengtao Li, Robert Brubaker, Jacob Purcell, Dean Garza
  • Publication number: 20220144505
    Abstract: A recloseable lid for closing an open top of a cup terminating in an annular upper edge includes a cup mount defining an annular channel configured to receive the annular upper edge of the cup and a cap having an annular side wall extending upwardly from the cup mount and terminating in a top having an annular floor spaced above the cup mount. A drink opening is disposed in the top and a plug assembly having a drink opening plug is provided. The drink opening plug can be selectively moveable between a closed position in which the drink opening plug is received within the drink opening for closing the drink opening and an open position in which the drink opening plug is not disposed within the drink opening. The lid can also include a plug retainer disposed in the cap and configured to retain the drink opening plug in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: AARON LAYOS, CHENGTAO LI, ROBERT BRUBAKER, JACOB PURCELL, DEAN GARZA
  • Patent number: 11242180
    Abstract: A recloseable lid for closing an open top of a cup terminating in an annular upper edge includes a cup mount defining an annular channel configured to receive the annular upper edge of the cup and a cap having an annular side wall extending upwardly from the cup mount and terminating in a top having an annular floor spaced above the cup mount. A drink opening is disposed in the top and a plug assembly having a drink opening plug is provided. The drink opening plug can be selectively moveable between a closed position in which the drink opening plug is received within the drink opening for closing the drink opening and an open position in which the drink opening plug is not disposed within the drink opening. The lid can also include a plug retainer disposed in the cap and configured to retain the drink opening plug in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Layos, Chengtao Li, Robert Brubaker, Jacob Purcell, Dean Garza
  • Patent number: 10512345
    Abstract: A method of making a double-wall cup having an inner cup defining an inner wall and an outer wrapper defining an outer wall, the method comprising applying an adhesive on the inner wall, holding a portion of the wrapper, at a location between opposing ends of the wrapper, in contact with the adhesive while in spaced relationship with the inner wall to define a spaced condition, and wrapping the wrapper about the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Garza, Rick Hills, Daniel Wendt
  • Publication number: 20190359393
    Abstract: A recloseable lid for closing an open top of a cup terminating in an annular upper edge includes a cup mount defining an annular channel configured to receive the annular upper edge of the cup and a cap having an annular side wall extending upwardly from the cup mount and terminating in a top having an annular floor spaced above the cup mount. A drink opening is disposed in the top and a plug assembly having a drink opening plug is provided. The drink opening plug can be selectively moveable between a closed position in which the drink opening plug is received within the drink opening for closing the drink opening and an open position in which the drink opening plug is not disposed within the drink opening. The lid can also include a plug retainer disposed in the cap and configured to retain the drink opening plug in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: AARON LAYOS, CHENGTAO LI, ROBERT BRUBAKER, JACOB PURCELL, DEAN GARZA
  • Publication number: 20180263391
    Abstract: A method of making a double-wall cup having an inner cup defining an inner wall and an outer wrapper defining an outer wall, the method comprising applying an adhesive on the inner wall, holding a portion of the wrapper, at a location between opposing ends of the wrapper, in contact with the adhesive while in spaced relationship with the inner wall to define a spaced condition, and wrapping the wrapper about the inner wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: DEAN GARZA, RICK HILLS, DANIEL WENDT
  • Patent number: 9624009
    Abstract: A tamper evident and resistant container includes a tray, a cover and a hinge extending from the cover and tray defining a hinge axis about which the tray and cover relatively rotate between a closed position and an opened position. The container further includes a first tab provided on one of the cover or the tray and at least partially defined by a line of weakness. When the cover is in the closed position, a user may pull the first tab to tear the hinge to separate the cover from the tray, wherein the line of weakness at least partially defining the first tab is configured to tear when the first tab is pulled to tear the hinge to separate the cover from the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan P. Gingras, Dean Garza, Todd M. Monroe, Craig M. Monahan
  • Patent number: 9409683
    Abstract: A container includes a tray having an outwardly extending tray flange and a rib projecting upwardly from at least a portion of the tray flange to at least partially define an open top and a cover terminating in an outwardly extending cover flange with a skirt projecting upwardly from the cover flange. When the cover is mounted to the tray to close an open top of the tray, a portion of the skirt lies on top of the rib, and an amount of the skirt that is pinchable is insufficient to apply the force required to overcome a peripheral seal between the cover and the tray to separate the cover from the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan P. Gingras, Dean Garza
  • Patent number: 9365331
    Abstract: A tamper evident and resistant container includes a tray, a cover and a hinge extending from the cover and tray defining a hinge axis about which the tray and cover relatively rotate between a closed position and an opened position. The container further includes a first tab provided on one of the cover or the tray and a second tab provided on the other of the cover or the tray. When the cover is in the closed position, the first and second tabs are spaced relative to each other such that a user may grasp the first tab with one hand and the second tab with another hand and relatively pull the first tab and the second tab away from each other to tear the hinge and separate the cover from the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan P. Gingras, Dean Garza
  • Publication number: 20150329249
    Abstract: A tamper evident and resistant container includes a tray, a cover and a hinge extending from the cover and tray defining a hinge axis about which the tray and cover relatively rotate between a closed position and an opened position. The container further includes a first tab provided on one of the cover or the tray and at least partially defined by a line of weakness. When the cover is in the closed position, a user may pull the first tab to tear the hinge to separate the cover from the tray, wherein the line of weakness at least partially defining the first tab is configured to tear when the first tab is pulled to tear the hinge to separate the cover from the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Ryan P. Gingras, Dean Garza, Todd M. Monroe, Craig M. Monahan
  • Publication number: 20150096986
    Abstract: A tamper evident and resistant container includes a tray, a cover and a hinge extending from the cover and tray defining a hinge axis about which the tray and cover relatively rotate between a closed position and an opened position. The container further includes a first tab provided on one of the cover or the tray and a second tab provided on the other of the cover or the tray. When the cover is in the closed position, the first and second tabs are spaced relative to each other such that a user may grasp the first tab with one hand and the second tab with another hand and relatively pull the first tab and the second tab away from each other to tear the hinge and separate the cover from the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Ryan P. Gingras, Dean Garza
  • Publication number: 20150096987
    Abstract: A container includes a tray having an outwardly extending tray flange and a rib projecting upwardly from at least a portion of the tray flange to at least partially define an open top and a cover terminating in an outwardly extending cover flange with a skirt projecting upwardly from the cover flange. When the cover is mounted to the tray to close an open top of the tray, a portion of the skirt lies on top of the rib, and an amount of the skirt that is pinchable is insufficient to apply the force required to overcome a peripheral seal between the cover and the tray to separate the cover from the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Ryan P. Gingras, Dean Garza
  • Patent number: 8939307
    Abstract: A container having tamper evident and resistant features includes a tray, a cover and a hinge extending from the cover and tray to a radially outermost portion and having a first portion extending from a first side of the cover and a second portion extending from a first side of the tray, wherein the first and second portions are connected by at least one weakened line to define a hinge axis about which the tray and cover relatively rotate between a closed position and an opened position. The container is provided with a first tab which a user may grasp with one hand and a second tab which the user may grasp with another hand and the user may relatively pull the first tab and the second tab away from each other to tear the hinge along the at least one weakened line and separate the cover from the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan P. Gingras, Dean Garza
  • Patent number: 8608008
    Abstract: A container having tamper evident and resistant features includes a tray, a cover and a hinge defining a hinge axis and connecting the tray and cover for relative rotation about the hinge axis between a closed position and an opened position. The container also includes a first tab provided on one of the cover and tray and located radially interiorly of the hinge axis and a second tab provided on the other of the cover and tray and located radially interiorly of the hinge axis, wherein the first and second tabs are spaced relative to each other such that a user may grasp the first tab with one hand and the second tab with another hand and relatively pull the first tab and the second tab away from each other to tear the hinge and separate the cover from the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan P. Gingras, Dean A. Garza
  • Publication number: 20130313275
    Abstract: A container having tamper evident and resistant features includes a tray, a cover and a hinge extending from the cover and tray to a radially outermost portion and having a first portion extending from a first side of the cover and a second portion extending from a first side of the tray, wherein the first and second portions are connected by at least one weakened line to define a hinge axis about which the tray and cover relatively rotate between a closed position and an opened position. The container is provided with a first tab which a user may grasp with one hand and a second tab which the user may grasp with another hand and the user may relatively pull the first tab and the second tab away from each other to tear the hinge along the at least one weakened line and separate the cover from the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan P. Gingras, Dean Garza
  • Publication number: 20120048774
    Abstract: A container having tamper evident and resistant features comprises a tray, a cover and a hinge defining a hinge axis and connecting the tray and cover for relative rotation about the hinge axis between a closed position and an opened position. The container also comprises a first tab provided on one of the cover and tray and located radially interiorly of the hinge axis and a second tab provided on the other of the cover and tray and located radially interiorly of the hinge axis, wherein the first and second tabs are spaced relative to each other such that a tier may grasp the first tab with one hand and the second tab with another hand and relatively pull the first tab and the second tab away from each other to tear the hinge and separate the cover from the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: DART CONTAINER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan P. Gingras, Dean A. Garza
  • Patent number: D675517
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventor: Dean Garza
  • Patent number: D686064
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventor: Dean Garza
  • Patent number: D697795
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventor: Dean Garza