Patents Assigned to Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
  • Patent number: 10746442
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus including a compressor (301), a condenser (302), an expansion device (304), and an evaporator (305), fluidly connected to form a refrigeration cycle for a refrigerant, wherein the compressor (301) has a variable working capacity, and wherein the expansion device (304) has a configurable flow resistance with respect to the refrigerant passing through the expansion device. The apparatus further includes a controller (300) which is configured to determine a current working capacity of the compressor (301) and to control the resistance of the expansion device (304) in dependence on the current working capacity of the compressor (301). The controller (300) is further configured to control the resistance of the expansion device (304) in order to achieve a mass flow of the refrigerant through the expansion device (304), which mass flow corresponds to a mass flow of the refrigerant through the compressor (301).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Franciscus Schoonen
  • Publication number: 20200149747
    Abstract: An exhaust hood includes a housing, which is open towards a bottom face to capture cooking by-products from a cooking appliance positioned below the exhaust hood. The housing has a first wall and a second wall opposite to the first wall. The second wall is at least partly inclined inwardly from the bottom face towards a top face of the housing and has an exhaust vent to extract cooking by-products captured by the housing. The exhaust hood has a fresh air fan and the first wall forms a first duct which has openings located in a row along a lower edge of the first wall adjacent to the bottom face and oriented inside the housing. A side wall extension extends from one side wall and forms a lateral skirt that defines a pass-through window having vertically and horizontally extending faces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventors: Michael SPERKA, Wolfgang KUNZE, Ireneusz CZAPP, Mark ASHLEY
  • Publication number: 20200123751
    Abstract: A method of installing a sink (1) in a worktop cut-out (11a), including: a) providing a sink (1) made at least partly from a resin-compound material, with a bowl (2), an outlet opening located in the bottom wall (3), and a circumferential rim (5) located at an upper edge and extending outwardly from a bowl side wall (4); a number of resilient clamping elements (6) arranged on the outside of said bowl (2) adjacent the rim (5), which in a free or uncompressed state thereof, extend outwardly beyond the rim (5), and provide in a loaded or compressed state thereof, a clamping force out-wardly from said side wall (4), at least some of the clamping elements (6) being at-tached to the sink in respective recesses (R) arranged in the side wall (4) or in a transition region between the side wall (4) and the rim (5); b) making the worktop cut-out (11a) with a larger dimension than an area circumscribed by the rim (5) but smaller than an envelope around the clamping elements (6), defining a cut-out side wall (11b) extendi
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventors: Christian W. Bomatter, Rolf Neeser
  • Publication number: 20200123744
    Abstract: A method for adapting a control menu of an extraction unit (10) for drinking water (11) to a network (12), having the steps of: connecting a new device (14), wherein the extraction unit is connected to one or more devices using communication technology to form a network (12), in particular in the form of a bus system; transmitting a physical address of the new device (14) into the network (12) to the extraction unit (10); creating a new device register with the physical address of the new device (14) in the controller of the extraction unit (10); and automatically adapting the control menu of the extraction unit (10) to the new device register, with the result that the new device (14) can be controlled via the extraction unit (10). An extraction unit for carrying out such method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventors: Manuel KEEL, Marco ERNI
  • Patent number: 10578315
    Abstract: An exhaust hood includes a housing, which is open towards a bottom face to capture cooking by-products from a cooking appliance positioned below the exhaust hood. The housing has at least a first wall and a second wall opposite to the first wall. The second wall is at least partly inclined inwardly from the bottom face towards a top face of the housing and has an exhaust vent that communicates with an exhaust fan to extract cooking by-products captured by the housing. The exhaust hood has a fresh air fan and the first wall is shaped to form a first duct which has a number of openings located in a row along a lower edge of the first wall adjacent to the bottom face and oriented to the inside of said housing. The first duct is in communication with the fresh air fan to inject air streams through the openings into the housing in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom face. This creates a vertical flat air stream directed from the first wall towards the second wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventors: Michael Sperka, Wolfgang Kunze, Ireneusz Czapp, Mark Ashley
  • Patent number: 10550558
    Abstract: A method of installing a sink in a worktop cut-out, including: (a) providing a sink with: a bowl with a bottom wall and a circumferential side wall; at least one outlet opening located in the bottom; a circumferential rim located at an upper edge of the bowl and extending outwardly from the side wall by an extent (E); resilient clamping elements arranged on the outside of the bowl adjacent the rim, that in a free or uncompressed state, extend outwardly beyond the extent (E), and which provide, in a loaded state, a clamping force outwardly from the side wall; (b) making the worktop cut-out larger in dimension than a rim area but smaller than an envelope around the uncompressed clamping elements while defining a cut-out side wall extending at right angles to upper and lower surfaces of the worktop; (c) placing the sink in the cut-out so that the cut-out side wall is located opposite the rim, the sink being centered within the cut-out by the clamping elements, which are compressed between the cut-out side wall a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: FRANKE TECHNOLOGY AND TRADEMARK LTD
    Inventors: Alessandro Cagliari, Christian W. Bomatter, Rolf Neeser
  • Publication number: 20190382986
    Abstract: A multifunctional water outlet fitting for selectively dispensing service water and filtered drinking water has a fitting member having at least one water supply, a first outlet for service water which branches off from the fitting member, a second outlet for filtered drinking water which branches off from the fitting member and, for a drinking water filter, a filter receiving space through which water can flow connected to the second outlet so as to carry water. The filter receiving space is formed by a filter housing which is arranged at the end of the second outlet facing away from the fitting member, and the filter housing has a downwardly facing base in which there is formed a mouth opening, from which filtered drinking water can be removed. The filtered drinking water is consequently removed directly from the filter housing so that any formation of germs in a connected waterway is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventors: Markus Leutwiler, Roland Gloor, Christoph Kellenberger, Michael Loepfe
  • Publication number: 20190382287
    Abstract: In a filter insert for use in a water outlet fitting with integrated drinking water filter, which has a structure closed on all sides and with an inner hollow space and in which at least a part of its outer surface is designed as a filter-active surface through which water to be filtered passes from the outside inward, a mouthpiece pointing outward in the shape of a collar and forming a mouth orifice is arranged which can be received by an opening in a fitting-side filter housing and from which filtered water can flow freely out of the inner hollow space without contact with the filter housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventors: Andreas Ruegg, Markus Leutwiler, Christoph Kellenberger, Michael Loepfe
  • Patent number: 10501356
    Abstract: A hospital faucet assembly is provided that includes an outlet adapted to direct a flow water stream into a sink. An ozone chamber is provided having a water inlet and a water outlet. A flow control valve is connected to the water inlet, and the water outlet is connected to the faucet armature. A sensor is provided which is adapted to control the flow control valve. An ozone generator is located within the chamber, and when a user activates the sensor, the valve opens allowing more water to enter the chamber and then travel out through the water outlet of the ozone chamber to the faucet armature which dispenses the water flow into the sink. A controller is provided and is connected to the control valve and the sensor. The controller is configured to run an automatic cycle on an occasional basis to flush the sink with ozone-rich water in order flush and/or disinfect water located in a trap of the sink drain, or provide other disinfecting functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventor: Cory Macey
  • Patent number: 10337178
    Abstract: A sink having at least one bowl with a bottom wall and a circumferential side wall, with an outlet opening in the bottom wall. First and second rectilinear grooves are provided in the side wall that extend toward the bottom wall. A plate-shaped divider fits into the first and second grooves in watertight manner. The divider has a peripheral edge with first and second portions that engage the first and second grooves, respectively, and a third portion located between the first and second portions contacts the bottom wall. A gasket is arranged on the edge in the first through third portions having three seal beads. First and second seal beads are arranged on first and second opposite lateral side of the edge of the divider, respectively, and a third seal bead is arranged on the peripheral edge between the first and second seal beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventors: Christian W. Bomatter, Rolf Neeser, Tobias Maier
  • Publication number: 20190195512
    Abstract: An exhaust hood includes a housing, which is open towards a bottom face to capture cooking by-products from a cooking appliance positioned below the exhaust hood. The housing has at least a first wall and a second wall opposite to the first wall. The second wall is at least partly inclined inwardly from the bottom face towards a top face of the housing and has an exhaust vent that communicates with an exhaust fan to extract cooking by-products captured by the housing. The exhaust hood has a fresh air fan and the first wall is shaped to form a first duct which has a number of openings located in a row along a lower edge of the first wall adjacent to the bottom face and oriented to the inside of said housing. The first duct is in communication with the fresh air fan to inject air streams through the openings into the housing in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom face. This creates a vertical flat air stream directed from the first wall towards the second wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventors: Michael Sperka, Wolfgang Kunze, Ireneusz Czapp, Mark Ashley
  • Patent number: 10287759
    Abstract: A hospital sink and faucet assembly includes a sink with a sink body having an angled faucet deck, a bowl adapted to receive water, and a rim. A laminar flow faucet is connected to the faucet deck and includes an outlet adapted to direct a laminar flow water stream into the bowl. The faucet includes a chamber with a preferably tangential water inlet at the bottom and at least one mesh layer that extends across a cross-section of the chamber to creates a generally constant velocity profile for the water flow across the cross-section of the chamber. The water flow progresses upwardly in the chamber to the outlet where a laminar flow nozzle cuts the water and discharges a circular stream of water out an angle generally perpendicular to the deck and toward the sink bowl. An ozone generator is preferably also in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventor: Cory Macey
  • Publication number: 20190041109
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus including a compressor (301), a condenser (302), an expansion device (304), and an evaporator (305), fluidly connected to form a refrigeration cycle for a refrigerant, wherein the compressor (301) has a variable working capacity, and wherein the expansion device (304) has a configurable flow resistance with respect to the refrigerant passing through the expansion device. The apparatus further includes a controller (300) which is configured to determine a current working capacity of the compressor (301) and to control the resistance of the expansion device (304) in dependence on the current working capacity of the compressor (301). The controller (300) is further configured to control the resistance of the expansion device (304) in order to achieve a mass flow of the refrigerant through the expansion device (304), which mass flow corresponds to a mass flow of the refrigerant through the compressor (301).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Franciscus Schoonen
  • Publication number: 20190032982
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus for refrigerating a fluid is disclosed. The apparatus includes a refrigerant, a compressor (301), a condenser (302), an expansion device (304), and an evaporator (305), fluidly connected to form a refrigeration cycle, a controllable valve (303) configured to control a flow of the refrigerant from the condenser (302) to the evaporator (305), at least one sensor (330) configured to measure a property of the refrigerant, and a controller (300) configured to determine an amount of the refrigerant stored in a portion of the refrigeration cycle including the condenser (302), and to control the controllable valve (303) based on the determined amount of the refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Franciscus Schoonen
  • Publication number: 20180328671
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed, having a vessel for containing a refrigerant, the vessel having a chamber bounded by a surface of a vessel wall, the vessel including an inlet and an outlet for transport of a refrigerant into and out of the chamber. At least one tube portion is inside the chamber, to enable fluid communication into and/or out of the tube portion through a first orifice and a second orifice. This at least one tube portion has an average diameter. The chamber has a space for the refrigerant, with the space having a volume, and the at least one tube portion has an outer surface in contact with the space for the refrigerant, this surface having an area. The volume divided by a product of the area and the average diameter is smaller than or equal to a constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Franciscus Schoonen
  • Publication number: 20180141844
    Abstract: A hospital faucet assembly is provided that includes an outlet adapted to direct a flow water stream into a sink. An ozone chamber is provided having a water inlet and a water outlet. A flow control valve is connected to the water inlet, and the water outlet is connected to the faucet armature. A sensor is provided which is adapted to control the flow control valve. An ozone generator is located within the chamber, and when a user activates the sensor, the valve opens allowing more water to enter the chamber and then travel out through the water outlet of the ozone chamber to the faucet armature which dispenses the water flow into the sink. A controller is provided and is connected to the control valve and the sensor. The controller is configured to run an automatic cycle on an occasional basis to flush the sink with ozone-rich water in order flush and/or disinfect water located in a trap of the sink drain, or provide other disinfecting functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventor: Cory Macey
  • Patent number: 9975676
    Abstract: A reusable tamper-resistant squeezable tabletop bottle comprises one or more openings sealed by one or more caps and one or more collars. The collars are rotatably secured relative to the body of the bottle by one or more collar receiving shoulders. The caps are axially secured relative to the body by a coupling and the caps are rotatably secured relative to the collars by a locking mechanism. The cap may be removed using a cap removal tool that releases the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd.
    Inventor: Chi-En Chen
  • Publication number: 20180100296
    Abstract: A hospital sink and faucet assembly includes a sink with a sink body having an angled faucet deck, a bowl adapted to receive water, and a rim. A laminar flow faucet is connected to the faucet deck and includes an outlet adapted to direct a laminar flow water stream into the bowl. The faucet includes a chamber with a preferably tangential water inlet at the bottom and at least one mesh layer that extends across a cross-section of the chamber to creates a generally constant velocity profile for the water flow across the cross-section of the chamber. The water flow progresses upwardly in the chamber to the outlet where a laminar flow nozzle cuts the water and discharges a circular stream of water out an angle generally perpendicular to the deck and toward the sink bowl. An ozone generator is preferably also in the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventor: Cory Macey
  • Patent number: 9937519
    Abstract: A kit for converting a gun-type sauce dispenser to dispense flowable materials such as sauces from flexible-walled containers comprises a nose piece, a dispensing tube and a supplemental piston. The nose piece has a forward end adapted to be attached to an end stop of the sauce dispenser. An opening extends axially through the nose piece. The nosepiece is adapted to be coupled to the dispensing tube such that the dispensing tube is held axially relative to the nose piece. A top sheet of a flexible-walled container may be retained between the nose piece and the dispensing tube. The nose piece may comprise a member arranged to tension the end sheet of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Franke Technology and Trademark, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-En Chen, Blago Lakic
  • Patent number: D882038
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventor: Michael Loepfe