Patents by Inventor Mario Rigert

Mario Rigert 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: 20180028732
    Abstract: A breast pump for pumping human breast milk has a flexible pumping membrane and a stiff cap, which can be fitted onto said pumping membrane, this resulting in the formation of a pumping chamber for generating a negative pressure. The cap can be, or is, connected to a breast-shield unit via a suction line. The pumping membrane has an encircling collar with a step and a laterally projecting protrusion. The cap has, on its inner side, an encircling abutment region and also at least one form-fitting element, which is spaced apart from the encircling abutment region and establishes a form fit with the protrusion of the pumping membrane. The cap is positioned with a snap fit on the pumping membrane. In the abutment region (53), it establishes a joint frictional fit with a step of the pumping membrane and thus forms a seal. The snap-fit positioning of the cap on the pumping membrane is sufficient for the cap to be retained with sealing action on the pumping membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Mario Rigert, René Fischer
  • Publication number: 20180028733
    Abstract: A breast shield for a breast pump for expressing human breast milk, comprising a funnel for applying to the human mother's breast and a connection part, wherein the funnel widens in the direction of the mother's breast and encloses at least one nipple and one areola surrounding the nipple of the mother's breast. The funnel comprises an end near to the breast, which forms a contact edge for contacting the mother's breast. The breast shield has a through-opening which extends from the end of the funnel near the breast up to the end of the connection part further from the breast, and which serves to apply a negative pressure to the mother's breast and to discharge expressed breast milk. The contact edge of the funnel is formed by a space curve that is not positioned in one plane, wherein the funnel has at least two planes of symmetry. The breast shield permits an application on the mother's breast that is optimally sealing and comfortable for the mother.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Mario Rigert, Daniela Käppeli, André Schlienger
  • Publication number: 20180021491
    Abstract: An adapter for a breast shield of a breast pump for pumping human breast milk has a chamber having a first opening leading to the breast shield and a second opening remote from the breast shield. The adapter also has a flexible media separation diaphragm, which is accommodated in the chamber and separates the chamber into a pump-side and a breast-shield-side area. The chamber tapers toward the breast-shield-side opening. The chamber has the shape of a spherical dome which is cut off in the tapering area thereof. The media separation diaphragm likewise has substantially the shape of a flattened spherical dome having a flat top side, wherein the flat top side of the media separation diaphragm faces the breast-shield-side opening of the chamber. The adapter permits a minimum pressure drop over the media separation diaphragm and ensures a reliable return to the original shape of the media separation diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Mario Rigert, Bernhard Emmenegger
  • Publication number: 20170043073
    Abstract: A mechanical fluid pressure modification valve, or “MFLP-valve”, is set forth. The MFLP-valve can be actuated upon movement of a movable pressure system member of a medical pressure system reaching a selected position. Additionally, the MFLP-valve can be actuated based on a pressure condition of the system. When the MFLP-valve unseals, a pressure differential between a pressure chamber and a volume outside of the chamber can be relieved. Disengagement of the movable pressure system member from the MFLP-valve can enable the MFLP-valve to re-seal. The MFLP-valve may include a flag that indicates the position of the movable pressure system member. The MFLP-valve may be provided in a diaphragm-type pressure source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Jahi Gist, David Cho, Mario Rigert
  • Publication number: 20160293059
    Abstract: A training teat unit for premature babies has a shield, and a teat connected to the shield and having a mouthpiece. The teat has a base body, which forms a mouth support, wherein the mouthpiece adjoins the base body and narrows in relation to the base body. At least one cavity with at least one suction opening is present in the mouthpiece for the purpose of making available a food droplet or a reward droplet, wherein the cavity is closed except for the at least one suction opening. This training teat unit permits motivation-based and optimal training of the sucking action of a premature baby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Mario Rigert, René Fischer, Florian Beutter
  • Patent number: 9205185
    Abstract: A pumping unit for use in a device for expressing human breast milk comprises a breast shield for resting against a mother's breast and a dimensionally stable or approximately dimensionally stable milk collection container for receiving the expressed mother's milk. The breast shield comprises a first longitudinal center axis, and the milk collection container comprises a second longitudinal center axis, wherein the milk collection container is detachably attachable to the breast shield, and wherein in the attached state of the milk collection container the first longitudinal center axis is arranged at an angle to the second longitudinal center axis. In the attached state the milk collection container is movable relative to the breast shield, and consequently the angle between the first and second longitudinal center axes is variable. The pumping unit according to the invention can be designed in a compact and space-saving manner and is particularly suited to a hands-free arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Andre Schlienger, Etienne Furrer, Mario Rigert, Deanna Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20150328380
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Etienne Furrer, Mario Rigert, André Schlienger
  • Publication number: 20150314053
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Etienne Furrer, Mario Rigert, André Schlienger
  • 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: 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: D783803
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Mario Rigert, Bernhard Emmenegger
  • Patent number: D785160
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Mario Rigert, Bernhard Emmenegger
  • Patent number: D810924
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Emmenegger, Daniela Käppeli, Mario Rigert, André Schlienger, Etienne Furrer, Marcel Muther
  • Patent number: D814018
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Emmenegger, Daniela Käppeli, Mario Rigert, André Schlienger, Etienne Furrer, Marcel Muther
  • Patent number: D815272
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Emmenegger, Daniela Käppeli, Mario Rigert, André Schlienger, Etienne Furrer, Marcel Muther