Patents by Inventor Etienne Furrer
Etienne Furrer 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).
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Patent number: 11642443Abstract: A breast shield for a breast pump for expressing human breast milk comprises a rigid base part (1) with a tubular connection piece (10) and with a funnel (11), which is integrally moulded in one piece thereon and widens away from the connection piece (10), for receiving a breast. The breast shield additionally comprises a flexible collar (2) which is arranged on the funnel (11) at an end of the funnel (11) remote from the connection piece (10) and which is realized to be placed onto the mother's breast. The named end of the funnel (11) forms a first contact surface (12) and an end of the collar (2) which faces the funnel (11) forms a second contact surface (22) and they both adjoin one another in an obtuse manner in a circumferential connecting joint (4), wherein the connecting joint is a butt joint.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AGInventors: Etienne Furrer, André Schlienger, Marcel Muther
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Patent number: 11000151Abstract: A device for bringing baby food to a certain temperature comprises a vessel having an interior for accommodating a holder for the baby food, a unit for obtaining a temperature for bringing the interior to a certain temperature, and a first sensor for determining the temperature in interior. A second sensor is present for determining the temperature of the baby food in the container. As a result, baby food can be brought to a certain temperature in a manner that is gentle, yet efficient.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2017Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AGInventors: Etienne Furrer, Armin Felber, Marcel Muther
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Publication number: 20210038782Abstract: A breast shield for a breast pump for expressing human breast milk comprises a rigid base part (1) with a tubular connection piece (10) and with a funnel (11), which is integrally moulded in one piece thereon and widens away from the connection piece (10), for receiving a breast. The breast shield additionally comprises a flexible collar (2) which is arranged on the funnel (11) at an end of the funnel (11) remote from the connection piece (10) and which is realized to be placed onto the mother's breast. The named end of the funnel (11) forms a first contact surface (12) and an end of the collar (2) which faces the funnel (11) forms a second contact surface (22) and they both adjoin one another in an obtuse manner in a circumferential connecting joint (4), wherein the connecting joint is a butt joint.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: Etienne Furrer, André Schlienger, Marcel Muther
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Patent number: 10821213Abstract: A breast shield for a breast pump for pumping human breast milk, comprising a rigid base part having a tubular connecting piece and a funnel that is integrally formed therewith and that expands away from the connecting piece for accommodating a mother's breast. The breast shield includes a flexible collar, which is arranged on the funnel at the end of the funnel facing away from the connection piece, and which is designed to be placed on the mother's breast. The end of the funnel forms a first contact surface, and an end of the collar facing the funnel forms a second contact surface (22), which in a circumferential connecting seam adjoin each other in a blunt way. The funnel has a first wall thickness and the collar has a second wall thickness, wherein said second wall thickness is approximately equal to the first wall thickness. The breast shield can be produced simply and inexpensively, nevertheless allowing a high degree of wearing comfort and a tight fit on the mother's breast.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2016Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AGInventors: Etienne Furrer, André Schlienger, Marcel Muther
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Patent number: 10639407Abstract: A device for expressing human breast milk has a breast shield for bearing against a mother's breast, a vacuum pump for generating a vacuum, a line which connects the vacuum pump to the breast shield and is intended for transmitting the vacuum generated to the breast shield, and a chamber. The line ends on the pump side in a first port of the chamber. The chamber has a second port for connection to a milk collecting container. The two ports in the chamber are connected to each other in terms of fluid communication. During the expressing operation, the line forms a milk line for transporting breast milk expressed in the breast shield to the chamber and from the chamber to the milk collecting container. The pump can be designed to be quiet and small.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AGInventors: Beda Weber, Etienne Furrer, André Schlienger, Brian H. Silver, Daniela Wäckerlin, Armin Felber
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Patent number: 10493188Abstract: The present invention provides a breastshield for use in a breastpumping system for expressing milk, the breastshield being of such a construction that substantially limits the amount of air between the breast/nipple and the breastshield surrounding the breast/nipple, and most preferably virtually eliminates any air at least in the area of the breast and nipple. In some embodiments, any air in the breastpumping system is substantially eliminated. With the amount of air limited, the mechanism used for generating the pressure difference in the breastshield (e.g., vacuum or negative pressure), such as a diaphragm pump, does not need to do as much work. Less energy is required for the expression of milk, and thus the size of pump used can be decreased, thereby reducing the overall cost of the device.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AGInventors: Brian H. Silver, Samuel B. Levey, Carr Lane Quackenbush, Beda Weber, Etienne Furrer, Daniela Wackerlin
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Patent number: 10493187Abstract: The present invention provides a breastshield for use in a breastpumping system for expressing milk, the breastshield being of such a construction that substantially limits the amount of air between the breast/nipple and the breastshield surrounding the breast/nipple, and most preferably virtually eliminates any air at least in the area of the breast and nipple. In some embodiments, any air in the breastpumping system is substantially eliminated. With the amount of air limited, the mechanism used for generating the pressure difference in the breastshield (e.g., vacuum or negative pressure), such as a diaphragm pump, does not need to do as much work. Less energy is required for the expression of milk, and thus the size of pump used can be decreased, thereby reducing the overall cost of the device.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AGInventors: Brian H. Silver, Sam Levey, Carr Lane Quackenbush, Beda Weber, Etienne Furrer, Daniela Wackerlin
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Publication number: 20190313843Abstract: A device for bringing baby food to a certain temperature comprises a vessel having an interior for accommodating a holder for the baby food, a unit for obtaining a temperature for bringing the interior to a certain temperature, and a first sensor for determining the temperature in interior. A second sensor is present for determining the temperature of the baby food in the container. As a result, baby food can be brought to a certain temperature in a manner that is gentle, yet efficient.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2017Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: Etienne Furrer, Armin Felber, Marcel Muther
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Patent number: 10391214Abstract: A breastshield unit for use with a breastpump for expressing human breastmilk using underpressure has a dimensionally stable breastshield and a flexible breastshield insert for placing in the breastshield. The breastshield has a first, open breastshield end for placing on a mother's breast. The breastshield insert has a first insert end and a second insert end which define a longitudinal direction, the first, open breastshield end having a peripheral edge on which the breastshield insert is securable with the first insert end. In the assembled state, the breastshield insert extends from this first insert end through the inside of the breastshield to the second insert end, wherein the breastshield insert, between the first and second insert ends, extends substantially spaced apart from the breastshield. In the assembled state of the breastshield insert, the second insert end is displaceable in the longitudinal direction relative to the breastshield.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2013Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AGInventors: Etienne Furrer, Mario Rigert, André Schlienger
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Patent number: 10335525Abstract: A breastshield unit for use in a device for expressing human breastmilk employing underpressure with a breastshield body and a media separation device which separates expressed milk from an underpressure source arranged in the breastshield body, the media separation device having a through-channel which connects first and second openings of the breastshield body. The through-channel has a through-opening, which is enlargeable when subjected to an underpressure from outside. The through-opening is formed by walls which, when subjected to an underpressure from outside, are movable away from each other, largely without stretching, in order to enlarge the through-opening. The breastshield unit permits media separation with minimal dead volume, and with optimized comfort for the mother.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AGInventors: Armin Felber, Etienne Furrer
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Patent number: 10149929Abstract: A breastshield unit for use with a breastpump for expressing human breastmilk has a breastshield for receiving a mother's breast and a media separation device for transferring a vacuum into the interior of the breastshield. The breastshield has a receiving area for receiving a nipple of the mother's breast. The media separation device has a media separation membrane which, for the purpose of transferring the vacuum, is movable to and fro between two positions. The media separation membrane is located in the receiving area at least in one of the two positions. Despite the integrated media separation, the breastshield unit can be made extremely compact and minimizes the dead volume.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2013Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AGInventors: Etienne Furrer, Mario Rigert, André Schlienger
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Publication number: 20180236147Abstract: A device for expressing human breast milk has a breast shield for bearing against a mother's breast, a vacuum pump for generating a vacuum, a line which connects the vacuum pump to the breast shield and is intended for transmitting the vacuum generated to the breast shield, and a chamber. The line ends on the pump side in a first port of the chamber. The chamber has a second port for connection to a milk collecting container. The two ports in the chamber are connected to each other in terms of fluid communication. During the expressing operation, the line forms a milk line for transporting breast milk expressed in the breast shield to the chamber and from the chamber to the milk collecting container. The pump can be designed to be quiet and small.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Beda Weber, Etienne Furrer, André Schlienger, Brian H. Silver, Daniela Wäckerlin, Armin Felber
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Patent number: 9956331Abstract: A device for expressing human breast milk has a breast shield for bearing against a mother's breast, a vacuum pump for generating a vacuum, a line which connects the vacuum pump to the breast shield and is intended for transmitting the vacuum generated to the breast shield, and a chamber. The line ends on the pump side in a first port of the chamber. The chamber has a second port for connection to a milk collecting container. The two ports in the chamber are connected to each other in terms of fluid communication. During the expressing operation, the line forms a milk line for transporting breast milk expressed in the breast shield to the chamber and from the chamber to the milk collecting container. The pump can be designed to be quiet and small.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AGInventors: Beda Weber, Etienne Furrer, André Schlienger, Brian H. Silver, Daniela Wäckerlin, Armin Felber
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Publication number: 20180064859Abstract: The present invention provides a breastshield for use in a breastpumping system for expressing milk, the breastshield being of such a construction that substantially limits the amount of air between the breast/nipple and the breastshield surrounding the breast/nipple, and most preferably virtually eliminates any air at least in the area of the breast and nipple. In some embodiments, any air in the breastpumping system is substantially eliminated. With the amount of air limited, the mechanism used for generating the pressure difference in the breastshield (e.g., vacuum or negative pressure), such as a diaphragm pump, does not need to do as much work. Less energy is required for the expression of milk, and thus the size of pump used can be decreased, thereby reducing the overall cost of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Brian H. Silver, Sam Levey, Carr Lane Quackenbush, Beda Weber, Etienne Furrer, Daniela Wackerlin
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Publication number: 20180021492Abstract: A breast shield for a breast pump for pumping human breast milk, comprising a rigid base part having a tubular connecting piece and a funnel that is integrally formed therewith and that expands away from the connecting piece for accommodating a mother's breast. The breast shield includes a flexible collar, which is arranged on the funnel at the end of the funnel facing away from the connection piece, and which is designed to be placed on the mother's breast. The end of the funnel forms a first contact surface, and an end of the collar facing the funnel forms a second contact surface (22), which in a circumferential connecting seam adjoin each other in a blunt way. The funnel has a first wall thickness and the collar has a second wall thickness, wherein said second wall thickness is approximately equal to the first wall thickness. The breast shield can be produced simply and inexpensively, nevertheless allowing a high degree of wearing comfort and a tight fit on the mother's breast.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: Etienne Furrer, André Schlienger, Marcel Muther
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Patent number: 9840032Abstract: A method for making teat unit including providing a support body and a securing part, the support body including a plurality of recesses, forming a teat by overmolding the teat over the support body and over the recesses of the support body so that the teat covers the recesses, and overmolding the teat over an upper edge of the securing part, thereby forming a connection between the securing part and the support body which connects the securing part to the support body. In another method, the support body and the securing part are already one single piece and the teat is overmolded at least over the support body.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2014Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AGInventors: René Fischer, Etienne Furrer, Bernhard Emmenegger
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Patent number: D810924Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AGInventors: Bernhard Emmenegger, Daniela Käppeli, Mario Rigert, André Schlienger, Etienne Furrer, Marcel Muther
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Patent number: D814018Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2017Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AGInventors: Bernhard Emmenegger, Daniela Käppeli, Mario Rigert, André Schlienger, Etienne Furrer, Marcel Muther
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Patent number: D815272Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2017Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AGInventors: Bernhard Emmenegger, Daniela Käppeli, Mario Rigert, André Schlienger, Etienne Furrer, Marcel Muther
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Patent number: D846112Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AGInventors: Marcel Muther, Etienne Furrer, André Schlienger, Jürg Feller