Patents by Inventor Ryan P. Gingras

Ryan P. Gingras 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).

  • 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: 20160082692
    Abstract: A multi-layer sheet for forming an expanded foam container, the multi-layer sheet comprising a first layer of an expanded foam material comprising a first polyolefin-based material comprising at least one polypropylene-based polymer and a second layer of an unexpanded material comprising a second polyolefin-based material comprising at least one polypropylene-based polymer that is co-extruded, extrusion coated, or laminated on a first side of the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: CHENGTAO LI, GARY R. WILKES, WAYNE J. MYER, TIM E. ACKLEY, CARL E. STEVENS, WILLIAM I. WOLFE, MICHAEL HARVEY, MARK S. DECKER, RYAN P. GINGRAS, KEVIN R. SMITH, PETER MATYSIAK, TOBIN L. EMRICK, STEVE K. MAKELA, RICK L. MEIRNDORF, ERIK J. DURFEE, JAMES W. HUERTA, ALEX C. FENKER
  • Publication number: 20160082693
    Abstract: A multi-layer sheet for forming an expanded foam container, the multi-layer sheet comprising a first layer of an expanded foam material comprising a first polyolefin-based material comprising at least one polypropylene-based polymer and a second layer of an unexpanded material comprising a second polyolefin-based material comprising at least one polypropylene-based polymer that is co-extruded, extrusion coated, or laminated on a first side of the first layer, wherein an exterior surface of the second layer has a low gloss level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: CHENGTAO LI, GARY R. WILKES, WAYNE J. MYER, TIM E. ACKLEY, CARL E. STEVENS, WILLIAM I. WOLFE, MICHAEL HARVEY, MARK S. DECKER, RYAN P. GINGRAS, KEVIN R. SMITH, PETER MATYSIAK, TOBIN L. EMRICK, STEVE K. MAKELA, RICK L. MEIRNDORF, ERIK J. DURFEE, JAMES W. HUERTA, ALEX C. FENKER
  • Publication number: 20160082621
    Abstract: A process for forming a multi-layer sheet for forming an expanded foam container, the process comprising: extruding a first layer comprising a first polyolefin-based material comprising at least one polypropylene-based polymer and at least one blowing agent; providing a second layer comprising a second polyolefin-based material comprising at least one polypropylene-based polymer onto a first side of the first layer; and expanding the first layer to form the multi-layer sheet comprising an expanded first layer and an unexpanded second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: CHENGTAO LI, GARY R. WILKES, WAYNE J. MYER, TIM E. ACKLEY, CARL E. STEVENS, WILLIAM I. WOLFE, MICHAEL HARVEY, MARK S. DECKER, RYAN P. GINGRAS, KEVIN R. SMITH, PETER MATYSIAK, TOBIN L. EMRICK, STEVE K. MAKELA, RICK L. MEIRNDORF, ERIK J. DURFEE, JAMES W. HUERTA, ALEX C. FENKER
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • 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: 8631957
    Abstract: The invention is a recloseable lid for a drinking cup comprising a cap with a dispensing aperture through which liquid can pass. A plug is movably mounted to the cap and is sized to seal the dispensing aperture when a portion of the plug is inserted into the dispensing aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Dart, Ryan P. Gingras, Todd Atkins
  • 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: 7676909
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a first thermoformed workpiece, such as a tab closure, to a second thermoformed workpiece, such as a lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph William MacKenzie, Tyler James DeLong, Ryan P. Gingras
  • Patent number: 7523534
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a first thermoformed workpiece, such as a tab closure, to a second thermoformed workpiece, such as a lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph W. MacKenzie, Tyler J. DeLong, Ryan P. Gingras
  • Patent number: 7353582
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a first thermoformed workpiece, such as a tab closure, to a second thermoformed workpiece, such as a lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph W. MacKenzie, Tyler J. DeLong, Ryan P. Gingras
  • Publication number: 20040111858
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a first thermoformed workpiece, such as a tab closure, to a second thermoformed workpiece, such as a lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: DART CONTAINER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ralph William MacKenzie, Tyler James DeLong, Ryan P. Gingras
  • Publication number: 20030089714
    Abstract: The invention is a recloseable lid for a drinking cup comprising a cap with a dispensing aperture through which liquid can pass. A plug is movably mounted to the cap and is sized to seal the dispensing aperture when a portion of the plug is inserted into the dispensing aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Robert C. Dart, Ryan P. Gingras, Todd Atkins
  • Patent number: RE38349
    Abstract: A wall 16 presents an interior surface 18 extending rearwardly of the front panel. A plurality of tabs 20 extend transversely to the wall 16. The assembly is characterized by reinforcing flanges 26 extending inwardly about the periphery of the wall 16 to reinforce the wall 16. A plurality of threaded fasteners 24 extend through the plate 22 of the chassis to engage the tabs 20 to support the chassis on the front panel. The chassis includes a housing extending rearwardly from the plate 22 and which includes a front 34, a right side 36, a left side 38 and a bottom tray 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Nematron Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin M. Stonebraker, Joseph P. McInnis, Ryan P. Gingras