Patents by Inventor Erich Pfenniger

Erich Pfenniger 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: 11642441
    Abstract: A barrier of a vacuum pump prevents contamination from entering a vacuum pump air line. The barrier separates parts of the pump and is moveable between an initial state and a distended state. The barrier is assembled within the pump with a pre-load. When the vacuum source is applied to the barrier, the barrier achieves a distended state and when the vacuum source is released, the barrier incrementally self returns to an initial state. The geometry and material construction of the barrier, along with the pre-load, assists in returning the barrier on its own to the initial state from the distended state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Mark A. Luzbetak, Thomas A. Sutrina, Erich Pfenniger, Patrik Bosshard
  • Publication number: 20230124979
    Abstract: A method for operating a breastpump unit for expression of human breastmilk and various breast shields for use in this method allow a maximum pumping performance and a minimum pumping duration per pumping session. The breast shield has an inner chamber for receiving a nipple (W) of the breast and also at least one outer chamber which at least partially surrounds the nipple. The inner chamber is subjected to a constant pressure and the at least one outer chamber is subjected to a pulsating pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Larsson, Erich Pfenniger, Mario Rigert, Sebastian Höner, Peter Vischer, Peter Edwin Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11559614
    Abstract: A method for operating a breastpump unit for expression of human breastmilk and various breast shields for use in this method allow a maximum pumping performance and a minimum pumping duration per pumping session. The breast shield has an inner chamber for receiving a nipple of the breast and also at least one outer chamber which at least partially surrounds the nipple. The inner chamber is subjected to a constant pressure and the at least one outer chamber is subjected to a pulsating pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Michael Larsson, Erich Pfenniger, Mario Rigert, Sebastian Höner, Peter Vischer, Peter Edwin Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20190240386
    Abstract: A method for operating a breastpump unit for expression of human breastmilk and various breast shields for use in this method allow a maximum pumping performance and a minimum pumping duration per pumping session. The breast shield has an inner chamber for receiving a nipple of the breast and also at least one outer chamber which at least partially surrounds the nipple. The inner chamber is subjected to a constant pressure and the at least one outer chamber is subjected to a pulsating pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Larsson, Erich Pfenniger, Mario Rigert, Sebastian Höner, Peter Vischer, Peter Edwin Hartmann
  • Patent number: 10037354
    Abstract: A system for optimizing guide values, particularly in the field of infant feeding with mother's milk and/or in the field of medical drainage, which includes at least one first data set which has at least one first data group assigned to a first target group. The system also has a second data set, with at least one second data group assigned to a second target group. First data of the first target group are stored in the at least one first data group and second data of the second target group are stored in the at least one second data group. A data processing unit is used for processing the first and second data and for output of the guide values to the second target group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Erich Pfenniger, Beda Weber, Claudius Dietzsch, Peter Vischer
  • Publication number: 20180028731
    Abstract: A barrier of a vacuum pump prevents contamination from entering a vacuum pump air line. The barrier separates parts of the pump and is moveable between an initial state and a distended state. The barrier is assembled within the pump with a pre-load. When the vacuum source is applied to the barrier, the barrier achieves a distended state and when the vacuum source is released, the barrier incrementally self returns to an initial state. The geometry and material construction of the barrier, along with the pre-load, assists in returning the barrier on its own to the initial state from the distended state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Mark A. Luzbetak, Thomas A. Sutrina, Erich Pfenniger, Patrik Bosshard
  • Patent number: 9814809
    Abstract: A barrier of a vacuum pump prevents contamination from entering a vacuum pump air line. The barrier separates parts of the pump and is moveable between an initial state and a distended state. The barrier is assembled within the pump with a pre-load. When the vacuum source is applied to the barrier, the barrier achieves a distended state and when the vacuum source is released, the barrier incrementally self returns to an initial state. The geometry and material construction of the barrier, along with the pre-load, assists in returning the barrier on its own to the initial state from the distended state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Mark A. Luzbetak, Thomas A. Sutrina, Erich Pfenniger, Patrik Bosshard
  • Publication number: 20170173234
    Abstract: A suction pump, in particular a breast pump, comprises a bleed valve with a bleed opening, a bleed body which seals the bleed opening and an operating means for operating the bleed body. The bleed body may be operated such that upon opening the valve initially only a partial region of the bleed opening is released and subsequently a greater part thereof or the whole bleed opening is released. The suction pump provides a large functionality with the smallest size and, furthermore, is cheap to produce and easily assembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Alex Stutz, Beda Weber, Erich Pfenniger
  • Publication number: 20160224611
    Abstract: A system for optimizing guide values, particularly in the field of infant feeding with mother's milk and/or in the field of medical drainage, which includes at least one first data set which has at least one first data group assigned to a first target group. The system also has a second data set, with at least one second data group assigned to a second target group. First data of the first target group are stored in the at least one first data group and second data of the second target group are stored in the at least one second data group. A data processing unit is used for processing the first and second data and for output of the guide values to the second target group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Erich Pfenniger, Beda Weber, Claudius Dietzsch, Peter Vischer
  • Patent number: 9168204
    Abstract: A teat unit has a teat, a securing device for securing the teat on a liquid container, and an air valve, the securing device having a first securing part and a second securing part. The air valve has a first valve part, which is arranged in the first securing part, and a second valve part, which is arranged in the first or in the second securing part. The air valve opens and closes with respect to the second securing part. The valve is preferably a diaphragm valve, and the first valve part is a valve diaphragm. This teat unit functions very reliably even at very small pressure differences between the bottle and the environment. Moreover, the range of function of the various teat units of the same type is relatively narrow, such that different teat units function very similarly and the air valves are actuated at similar pressure differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Erich Pfenniger, Mario Rigert
  • Patent number: 8960465
    Abstract: A teat unit for sucking a liquid from a liquid container includes a teat and a flow restrictor with a through-opening. The teat comprises a mouthpiece, with a suction opening, and a main body which is formed integrally on the mouthpiece and widens relative to the mouthpiece. The flow restrictor defines a maximum flow of the liquid passing through the suction opening from the liquid container. According to the invention, the flow restrictor is arranged outside the mouthpiece, and the suction opening has a greater cross-sectional surface area than the through-opening of the flow restrictor. The teat unit permits a feeding action that is as true to nature as possible, since the mouthpiece can be deformed very considerably, without substantially impairing the flow restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Erich Pfenniger, Peter Vischer, Mario Rigert, Leon Robert Mitoulas
  • Patent number: 8800793
    Abstract: A teat unit has a flexible teat, a receiving head and a dimensionally stable base part. The teat is arranged on the receiving head. The receiving head and the base part are connected to each other by a releasable plug connection, and the receiving head has a securing element for securing the teat unit on a drinks container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Erich Pfenniger, Peter Vischer, Mario Rigert, Alex Stutz
  • Publication number: 20140061147
    Abstract: A teat unit for sucking a liquid from a liquid container includes a teat and a flow restrictor with a through-opening. The teat comprises a mouthpiece, with a suction opening, and a main body which is formed integrally on the mouthpiece and widens relative to the mouthpiece. The flow restrictor defines a maximum flow of the liquid passing through the suction opening from the liquid container. According to the invention, the flow restrictor is arranged outside the mouthpiece, and the suction opening has a greater cross-sectional surface area than the through-opening of the flow restrictor. The teat unit permits a feeding action that is as true to nature as possible, since the mouthpiece can be deformed very considerably, without substantially impairing the flow restriction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Erich Pfenniger, Peter Vischer, Mario Rigert, Leon Robert Mitoulas
  • Patent number: 8646632
    Abstract: A mouthpiece has a bite-off-prevention feature. The mouthpiece has been manufactured from an elastomeric parent material with at least one first component, where a reinforcing component embedded within the parent material forms the bite-off-prevention feature and derives from the same group of substances or group of materials as the first component. The reinforcing component is preferably composed of fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Peter Vischer, Beda Weber, Erich Pfenniger, Stefan Baumann
  • Patent number: 8616391
    Abstract: A teat has a main body, a mouthpiece with a suction opening, and at least one milk channel extending from the main body to the suction opening. During use, the mouthpiece has an upper side directed towards a palate of a baby, and a lower side directed towards the baby's tongue. It is designed, on its upper side, with at least two walls, and with at least one air space arranged between said walls. The at least one air space extends separately from the at least one milk channel. The mouthpiece is designed on the upper side in such a way that this at least one air space inflates in the presence of an underpressure. This allows the palate, tongue and teat to interact in a manner that imitates breastfeeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventor: Erich Pfenniger
  • Patent number: 8602232
    Abstract: A teat unit for sucking a liquid from a liquid container includes a teat and a flow restrictor with a through-opening. The teat comprises a mouthpiece, with a suction opening, and a main body which is formed integrally on the mouthpiece and widens relative to the mouthpiece. The flow restrictor defines a maximum flow of the liquid passing through the suction opening from the liquid container. According to the invention, the flow restrictor is arranged outside the mouthpiece, and the suction opening has a greater cross-sectional surface area than the through-opening of the flow restrictor. The teat unit permits a feeding action that is as true to nature as possible, since the mouthpiece can be deformed very considerably, without substantially impairing the flow restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Erich Pfenniger, Peter Vischer, Mario Rigert, Leon Robert Mitoulas
  • Patent number: 8371462
    Abstract: A teat unit has a flexible teat, a receiving head and a dimensionally stable base part. The teat is arranged on the receiving head. The receiving head and the base part are connected to each other by a releasable plug connection, and the receiving head has a securing element for securing the teat unit on a drinks container. This teat unit permits a great many possible configurations of the individual parts and, therefore, an optimization of their individual functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Erich Pfenniger, Alex Stutz, Mario Rigert, Peter Vischer
  • Patent number: 8322546
    Abstract: A teat unit for sucking a liquid from a liquid container includes a teat and a flow restrictor with a through-opening. The teat comprises a mouthpiece, with a suction opening, and a main body which is formed integrally on the mouthpiece and widens relative to the mouthpiece. The flow restrictor defines a maximum flow of the liquid passing through the suction opening from the liquid container. According to the invention, the flow restrictor is arranged outside the mouthpiece, and the suction opening has a greater cross-sectional surface area than the through-opening of the flow restrictor. The teat unit permits a feeding action that is as true to nature as possible, since the mouthpiece can be deformed very considerably, without substantially impairing the flow restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Erich Pfenniger, Peter Vischer, Mario Rigert, Leon Mitoulas
  • Patent number: 8251234
    Abstract: A teat for connection to a receiving unit of a drink container has a main body and, adjoining the main body and tapered relative to the main body, a mouthpiece with at least one suction opening and a free end. The teat has a first connector element for connection to the receiving unit, and a second connector element for connection to the receiving unit, and a suction channel. The suction channel extends within the mouthpiece, opens via a first end into the suction opening and is directed via a second end towards the main body. This second end forms the first connector element for a substantially leak-tight connection to the receiving unit. The main body is designed such that it can be turned back towards the free end of the mouthpiece. The teat is designed such that it can be turned back at least a second location. The teat according to the invention can be connected to the feeding bottle in a simple and hygienic manner, is easy to clean and permits a feeding action that is as true to nature as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Mario Rigert, Carmelo Piscitello, Alex Stutz, Erich Pfenniger
  • Patent number: D773643
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Mark A. Luzbetak, Thomas A. Sutrina, Erich Pfenniger, Patrik Bosshard