Patents by Inventor Ali El-Afandi

Ali El-Afandi 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: 10583944
    Abstract: The invention includes a closure for a container. The closure includes a lid, a tab including a base, an end opposite the base, and a rivet. The rivet is disposed between the base and the end. The tab is fastened to the lid at the base and the rivet such that the rivet pulls away from the lid to form a hole in the lid when the end of the tab is moved away from the lid during the opening process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc
    Inventor: Ali El-Afandi
  • Publication number: 20160207662
    Abstract: The invention includes a closure for a container. The closure includes a lid, a tab including a base, an end opposite the base, and a rivet. The rivet is disposed between the base and the end. The tab is fastened to the lid at the base and the rivet such that the rivet pulls away from the lid to form a hole in the lid when the end of the tab is moved away from the lid during the opening process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: Ali El-Afandi
  • Patent number: 9355578
    Abstract: A label for a container may include a planar body comprising a first edge and a second edge, the first and second edges disposed at opposite sides of the body from each other; a cut-out portion of the planar body disposed between the first and second edges; and first and second tear lines extending from the cutout portion to respective first and second termination locations at or proximate to the first and second edges, respectively. The first and second tear lines may diverge at an angle away from each other in a direction from the cut-out portion to the respective first and second termination locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali El-Afandi, Jeremy R. Marincel
  • Patent number: 9296538
    Abstract: The invention includes a closure for a container. The closure includes a lid, a tab including a base, an end opposite the base, and a rivet. The rivet is disposed between the base and the end. The tab is fastened to the lid at the base and the rivet such that the rivet pulls away from the lid to form a hole in the lid when the end of the tab is moved away from the lid during the opening process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: Ali El-Afandi
  • Publication number: 20160023835
    Abstract: A method for heating an edible product enclosed within a pouch. The method includes placing the pouch within a sleeve having a wall extending between an open first end and a second end having a sleeve gusset. The edible product within the pouch is then heated causing the pouch to bulge due to an increase in pressure within the pouch. The bulging pouch pushes against the wall of the sleeve causing the sleeve to bulge and un-fold the sleeve gusset at the second end. The increased pressure within the pouch may also unseal at least one sealed vent on the pouch. Once heated, the pouch is torn open along one or more tear lines, thereby providing access to the edible content of the pouch. In some embodiments, the sleeve is reusable and included in a kit having two or more pouches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Ali EL-AFANDI, Todd PURKEY, Christopher SCOTT
  • Publication number: 20140202642
    Abstract: A label for a container may include a planar body comprising a first edge and a second edge, the first and second edges disposed at opposite sides of the body from each other; a cut-out portion of the planar body disposed between the first and second edges; and first and second tear lines extending from the cutout portion to respective first and second termination locations at or proximate to the first and second edges, respectively. The first and second tear lines may diverge at an angle away from each other in a direction from the cut-out portion to the respective first and second termination locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL MILLS, INC.
    Inventors: Ali EL-AFANDI, Jeremy R. MARINCEL
  • Publication number: 20080142521
    Abstract: The invention includes a closure for a container. The closure includes a lid, a tab including a base, an end opposite the base, and a rivet. The rivet is disposed between the base and the end. The tab is fastened to the lid at the base and the rivet such that the rivet pulls away from the lid to form a hole in the lid when the end of the tab is moved away from the lid during the opening process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: ALI EL-AFANDI
  • Patent number: D545189
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: Ali El-Afandi
  • Patent number: D546177
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ali El-Afandi
  • Patent number: D546677
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ali El-Afandi
  • Patent number: D546678
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ali El-Afandi
  • Patent number: D546679
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: Ali El-Afandi
  • Patent number: D547180
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ali El-Afandi
  • Patent number: D548074
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ali El-Afandi
  • Patent number: D572584
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ali El-Afandi
  • Patent number: D729316
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali El-Afandi, Jeremy R. Marincel
  • Patent number: D743810
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali El-Afandi, Todd Purkey, Christopher Scott
  • Patent number: D749677
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali El-Afandi, Jeremy R. Marincel
  • Patent number: D750175
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali El-Afandi, Jeremy R. Marincel
  • Patent number: D750176
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali El-Afandi, Jeremy R. Marincel