Patents by Inventor Christian Frei

Christian Frei 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: 20230366470
    Abstract: An exemplary seal arrangement includes a labyrinth seal (1). The seal is in operative engagement with a shaft (2) that extends in an opening (3) in a wall (4) bounding a riddlings hopper (13). The exemplary shaft moves along at least one radial direction on an orbital or eccentric path within the wall opening so as to suitably cause movement of at least one grate step of a firing grate. First seal discs (5) extend radially relative to the shaft axis and are in fixed operative connection with the shaft. Second seal discs (6) also extend radially and are in fixed operative connection with a seal housing (8) that is attached to the wall. Throughout shaft movement within the opening, first seal discs continuously extend intermediate and in radially overlapping relation with second seal discs, and second seal discs continuously extend intermediate and in radially overlapping relation with first seal discs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Johannes Ulrich Martin, Christian Frei
  • Patent number: 11792564
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hearing device comprising an earpiece provided with a vent configured to provide for a venting of sound waves between an inner region of the ear canal and an ambient environment outside the ear canal; the earpiece further comprising an acoustic valve including a valve member moveable relative to the vent between different positions and an actuator configured to provide an actuation force for a movement of the valve member such that an effective open cross-sectional area of the vent can be modified by the movement of the valve member; the hearing device further comprising an output transducer configured to be acoustically coupled to the inner region of the ear canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Erwin Kuipers, Manuel Weibel, Christian Frei-Krumme, Maxi Susanne Moritz
  • Patent number: 11784448
    Abstract: The invention relates to a travel adapter, comprising a housing, at least one receptacle of a first standard and at least one plug of a second standard. The receptacle of the first standard has at least one first contact socket and one second contact socket. The plug of the second standard has at least one first contact pin and one second contact pin. The plug is arranged on the housing. The receptacle is rotatably mounted in the housing. The plug or the first contact pin and the second contact pin are pivotally arranged on the housing in such a way that the plug or the first contact pin and the second contact pin can be pivoted out of the housing. The invention also relates to a set and an additional travel adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: WorldConnect AG
    Inventors: Christian Frei, Remo Jud, Erich Hinderegger
  • Publication number: 20230301761
    Abstract: A one-piece or multi-piece prosthesis blank for manufacturing a dental prosthesis. The blank is constructed from a gum-colored material and a tooth-colored material. It is characterized by being connected to each other at connecting surfaces, having an interface between the gum-colored and tooth-colored materials. This interface, when viewed along the connecting surfaces has an undulating shape and viewed in the vestibular direction has a radial shape. In order to finish the dental prosthesis, a CAD/CAM device determines the exact course of a gingival line, based on patient-specific data, and produces the prosthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Ronny Watzke, Christian Frei
  • Patent number: 11701207
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a dental prosthesis from a one-piece or multi-piece prosthesis blank which is constructed from a gum-colored material and a tooth-colored material (32), in particular in each case on a plastic base. It is characterized by being connected to each other at connecting surfaces, having an interface between the gum-colored and tooth-colored materials. This interface, when viewed along the connecting surfaces has an undulating shape and viewed in the vestibular direction has a radial shape. In order to finish the dental prosthesis, a CAD/CAM device determines the exact course of a gingival line, based on patient-specific data, and produces the prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Ronny Watzke, Christian Frei
  • Patent number: 11647950
    Abstract: An in-ear hearing device includes a light source configured to emit light, a photodetector configured to detect the emitted light after the emitted light passes through tissue of a subject, a spout; an audio receiver configured to deliver a sound to the subject through the spout, and a dome configured to conform to a shape of a subject's ear canal when the hearing device is in the ear canal. An output of the light source and an input of the photodetector are separated by the dome, and the dome absorbs and/or reflects at least part of the emitted light. The photodetector may be a forward biased photodiode. The sensor device can be realized with power levels, circuitry components, and in package sizes, of hearing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck, Christian Frei-Krumme, Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Muller, Markus Leuthold
  • Patent number: 11511497
    Abstract: The invention relates to a welding unit (1) for the welding of film tubes for a waterless toilet, the welding unit (1) comprising welding jaws (2, 3), the welding jaws (2, 3) comprising welding means covers (4, 5), characterized in that the welding means covers (4, 5) are detachably arranged on the welding jaws (2, 3), in particular are detachably connected to the welding jaws (2, 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: CLOSAC AG
    Inventors: Christian Frei, Remo Jud, Marcel Kilga
  • Publication number: 20220377476
    Abstract: An exemplary hearing system that is configured to assist a user in hearing includes an in-the-ear (ITE) component configured to fit at least partially within an ear canal of the user while the hearing system is worn by the user, a first sensor electrode provided on a surface of the ITE component and configured to contact, while the hearing system is worn by the user, outer ear tissue of the user, and a second sensor electrode configured to be located, while the hearing system is worn by the user, at an entrance to or outside of the ear canal of the user. The first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode may be configured to be used to detect a physiological attribute of the user while the hearing system is worn by the user. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Mueller, Natasha Thumm, Markus Leuthold, Christian Frei
  • Publication number: 20220256280
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hearing device comprising an earpiece provided with a vent configured to provide for a venting of sound waves between an inner region of the ear canal and an ambient environment outside the ear canal; the earpiece further comprising an acoustic valve including a valve member moveable relative to the vent between different positions and an actuator configured to provide an actuation force for a movement of the valve member such that an effective open cross-sectional area of the vent can be modified by the movement of the valve member; the hearing device further comprising an output transducer configured to be acoustically coupled to the inner region of the ear canal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Erwin Kuipers, Manuel Weibel, Christian Frei-Krumme, Maxi Susanne Moritz
  • Publication number: 20220174432
    Abstract: A customized in-ear hearing device includes a light source, photodetector, light emission window, and light transmission window. The light source and the photodetector together function as a physiological sensor by emitting light from the light source through the light emission to the skin of a user's ear canal, and detecting at the photodetector light reflected by the skin that passes through the light detection window. The light emission window and light detection window are located at a customized portion of the sidewall of the device that contacts the skin in the ear canal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Leuthold, Markus Müller, Christian Frei-Krumme
  • Publication number: 20220168967
    Abstract: A welding unit (1) for the thermal welding of film tubes, in particular for a waterless toilet, is proposed, at least two welding means (2, 2a) which can be moved relative to one another being comprised for the thermal welding of a film tube, each welding means (2, 2a) being configured to be movable by means of at least one joint arrangement (3, 3a), the at least one joint arrangement (3, 3a) comprising at least one articulated lever (4, 4a-4e).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Christian FREI, Remo JUD, Marcel KILGA
  • Publication number: 20220118717
    Abstract: The invention relates to a welding unit (1) for the welding of film tubes for a waterless toilet, the welding unit (1) comprising welding jaws (2, 3), the welding jaws (2, 3) comprising welding means covers (4, 5), characterized in that the welding means covers (4, 5) are detachably arranged on the welding jaws (2, 3), in particular are detachably connected to the welding jaws (2, 3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Christian FREI, Remo JUD, Marcel KILGA
  • Publication number: 20220077640
    Abstract: The invention relates to a travel adapter, comprising a housing, at least one receptacle of a first standard and at least one plug of a second standard. The receptacle of the first standard has at least one first contact socket and one second contact socket. The plug of the second standard has at least one first contact pin and one second contact pin. The plug is arranged on the housing. The receptacle is rotatably mounted in the housing. The plug or the first contact pin and the second contact pin are pivotally arranged on the housing in such a way that the plug or the first contact pin and the second contact pin can be pivoted out of the housing. The invention also relates to a set and an additional travel adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Christian Frei, Remo Jud, Erich Hinderegger
  • Publication number: 20220061900
    Abstract: A system for the amelioration of a recess (56) is disclosed, particularly of a recess in a porous, perforate material having cavities freed by the recess, said system comprising an element (2) for generating or coupling in mechanical energy, and a cylindrical collar (4, 40) having a central recess (44,45) for receiving a guide pin (8), wherein the guide pin (8), having a cannulation (35), is provided to be inserted substantially as far as the bottom of the recess (56) under positioning using a wire (52) before mechanical energy is applied, wherein the guide pin (8), in the area of the end thereof directed toward the bottom of the recess (56), is surrounded by an amelioration sleeve (7), wherein the external cylindrical jacket surface of the amelioration sleeve (7) has substantially the same external diameter as the collar (4, 40), and wherein the guide pin (8) is received movably in the central recess (44,45) such that, when mechanical energy is applied, the collar (4,40) can be moved relative to the guide pi
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: NEXILIS AG bei BDO AG
    Inventors: Christian Frei, Simon Zimmermann, Falko Schlottig, Martin Horst
  • Patent number: 11240614
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of sealing a module (14) in a hearing device housing. The method comprises the steps of preparing the module (14) and the hearing device housing, and applying a sealing material (28) into a space, said space being formed between the module (14) and the hearing device housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Natasha Thumm, Christian Frei, Matthias Stadler, André Lucien Ochsenbein, Tobias Balmer, Fiona Pacifico
  • Patent number: 11234087
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hearing device comprising a housing surrounding a venting channel comprising a valve member moveable relative to the venting channel between different positions comprising a first valve position and a second valve position, an actuator configured to provide an actuation force with a direction and a magnitude acting on the valve member, and a controller a controller configured to provide a first control signal controlling the actuator to provide the actuation force in a first direction, and to provide a second control signal controlling the actuator to provide the actuation force in a second direction. The disclosure further relates to a method of operating such a hearing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck, Christian Frei, Manuel Weibel, Erwin Kuipers, Maxi Susanne Moritz, Christian Landolt
  • Patent number: 11197109
    Abstract: An illustrative hearing device comprises a controller module and a receiver module including a speaker and an active vent which can be switched between an open state and a closed state, wherein the speaker is electrically connected to the controller module by two differential audio lines, wherein the active vent comprises a solenoid with an inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal connected to the controller module via one of the differential audio lines and the second terminal connected to the controller module either via the other one of the differential audio lines or to at least one control output of the controller module via a separate control line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Christian Landolt, Christian Frei, Erwin Kuipers, Manuel Weibel
  • Patent number: 11190887
    Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to a hearing device positioned partially or completely within an ear canal. In some implementations, the hearing device is an ITE with an oval-shaped or elongated battery, where the battery is positioned at an angle relative to a faceplate of the ITE. The hearing device can be a rechargeable, where the rechargeable battery is positioned (e.g., titled) between at an angle between 10 to 25 degrees relative to the faceplate of the ITE. In some implementations, the faceplate of the ITE is configured to enable the battery to pivot or adjust its angle such that the battery position can be adjusted to use space more efficiently. In some implementations, the battery 220 has a long axis, where the long axis is longer than any other battery axis, and the long axis extends from the faceplate at a non-perpendicular angle (e.g., 10 to 35 degrees).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Christian Frei, Thomas Winkler
  • Patent number: 11159898
    Abstract: A module of a hearing device is removably connectable with a housing of the hearing device, the module being prepared for insertion of a removal tool. The module includes at least two side walls opposing each other. The side walls are provided with a first engagement means, and the side walls are deformable such to allow engagement of the first engagement means and a second engagement means formed on an anchoring portion of the removal tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventors: Christian Frei, Matthias Stadler, Andre Lucien Ochsenbein, Tobias Balmer
  • Patent number: 11159897
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for charging a rechargeable battery (5) of a hearing aid (1). The proposed method comprises detecting a power supply (8) being connected to the hearing aid (1), estimating a state of charge of the battery (5), selecting one of at least a normal and a fast charging mode in dependence of the estimated state of charge, and charging the battery (5) according to the selected charging mode. Moreover, the present invention provides a hearing aid (1) including a battery charging unit (9) and adapted to support the proposed method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Christian Frei, Hilmar Meier, Kathrin Vuille-Dit-Bille