Patents by Inventor Eric Granger

Eric Granger 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: 20240123887
    Abstract: An injection-molded cargo liner has a floor panel, at least one seat back panel and a plurality of accordion pleats joining the floor panel to the seat back panel. Living hinges between adjacent ones of the panels and pleats are made by reducing thickness. The pleats allow the seat back panel to travel with the seat back, as the seat back is moved forward and down. In this way, the cargo liner provides a continuous barrier against dirt and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: MACNEIL IP LLC
    Inventors: Ryan GRANGER, Eric GRIESINGER
  • Patent number: 11918141
    Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprising a thermal conditioning device (71), such as a heater or cooler, said thermal conditioning device (71) comprising a control unit (4) for controlling a start-up phase of the thermal conditioning device (71) from a temperature of inactivity to an operative temperature, the control unit (4) comprising: a controller with a start-up profile for starting-up the thermal conditioning device (71), wherein the start-up profile has at least one parameter and the controller has a self-learning mode for adjusting the at least one parameter; and a temperature sensor connected to the controller for measuring a temperature of the thermal conditioning device (71); wherein the self-learning mode causes the controller during a start-up phase to: calculate a ramp value representative of a rate of change in temperature during the start-up phase of the thermal conditioning device; adjust the at least one parameter as a function of the adjusted ramp value; use the adjusted at least one p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Ioannis Argyris, Eric Granger
  • Publication number: 20240032733
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine (1) that has: a tank (21) in which a liquid food substance, e.g. milk, is processed; a food substance agitator (4); a food substance heating surface (6); a temperature sensor (81) sensing a temperature of the heating surface (6) or of the liquid food substance; and a control unit (8) controlling an activation of the agitator (4) and of the heating surface (6). The control unit (8) is configured to deactivate the agitator (4) and the heating surface (6) by deactivating first the heating surface (6) and then later deactivating the agitator (4) at an end of a run-off time determined by the control unit (8) based on a run-off temperature that is sensed by the temperature sensor (81) after the heating surface (6) has been deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: PASCAL FRENZEL, ERIC GRANGER, FRANK SCHNYDER
  • Publication number: 20220346603
    Abstract: A machine (1) has: a tank (10) having a cavity (10?) for containing and processing a batch of liquid food substance; a stirring tool (15) in the cavity (10?) having a stirring surface (151) for imparting a mechanical effect on said food substance in the cavity (10?) to froth the food substance; an actuator configured to rotate the stirring tool (15) in the cavity (10); and a control unit configured to control the actuator so that the rotational speed of the stirring tool (15) is changeable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: DA MI BYUN, ERIC GRANGER
  • Publication number: 20220248908
    Abstract: A machine (1) comprises a tank (10) having a cavity (10?) for containing and processing a liquid food substance, such as milk or a milk-based substance. A stirring tool (15) is provided in the cavity (10) for imparting a mechanical effect on the food substance. A base (20) supports the tank (10). The base (20) has an upright outside gripping surface (21) located under the tank (10) and seizable by an adult human hand such that the base (20) with the supported tank (10) can be carried and displaced single-handed by seizure of the upright outside gripping surface (21). The tank (10) extends horizontally beyond the gripping surface (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: DA MI BYUN, ERIC GRANGER
  • Patent number: 11284738
    Abstract: A beverage machine (1) has: a beverage processing module (10) with a liquid inlet (11) and a module fastening arrangement (12,13,15); and a liquid supply tank (30) with a liquid outlet (31) and a tank fastening arrangement (32,33,35). The outlet (31) is fluidically connectable to the inlet (11) and disconnectable therefrom. The fastening arrangements (12,13,15;32,33,35) comprises a female connector (12) and a male connector (32) cooperating with the female connector (12) for reversibly assembling the module (10) and the tank (30). The fastening arrangements (12,13,15;32,33,35) further comprise at least one pair of a support surface (13,35) and a resilient member (33,15) cooperating together for urging the male connector (32) into the female connector (12) so as to fasten the tank (30) to the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Antoine Cahen, Eric Granger
  • Patent number: 11272805
    Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: a beverage preparation module (20, 30) having a front face (21) with an outlet (31) for dispensing a prepared beverage; and a cup support (10) located under the outlet (31) for placing a cup (2) under the outlet (31). The cup support (10) comprises a liquid collection receptacle (14) supporting a removable cup placement platform (16) that has a peripheral part (18). The collection receptacle (14) is delimited by at least one upright peripheral sidewall (15) forming a seat (15?) for placing the platform (16). The peripheral part (18) extends over and above the peripheral sidewall (15) when the platform (16) is placed in the seat (15?) so that the platform (16) is seizable at the peripheral part (18) adjacent the peripheral sidewall (15) by a user-hand for removing the platform (16) from the receptacle (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Granger, Pietro Mazza, Antoine Cahen
  • Patent number: 11241115
    Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: a beverage preparation module (20, 30) having a front face (21) with an outlet (31) for dispensing a prepared beverage; and a cup support (10) located under the outlet (31) for placing a cup (2) under the outlet (31). The cup support (10) has a rear face (11) removably assembled to the front face (21) by a mechanical connector arrangement (12,22) that comprises a front hook (22) on the front face (21) disassemblable from a corresponding rear hook (12) on the rear face (11). The rear hook (12) has a retaining element (121) and the front hook (22) has a retaining element (221), the retaining elements (121,221) being mutually engaged when the cup support (10) is assembled to the front face (21) and disengaged when the cup support (10) is disassembled from the front face (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Granger, Pietro Mazza, Antoine Cahen
  • Publication number: 20200037812
    Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprising a thermal conditioning device (71), such as a heater or cooler, said thermal conditioning device (71) comprising a control unit (4) for controlling a start-up phase of the thermal conditioning device (71) from a temperature of inactivity to an operative temperature, the control unit (4) comprising: a controller with a start-up profile for starting-up the thermal conditioning device (71), wherein the start-up profile has at least one parameter and the controller has a self-learning mode for adjusting the at least one parameter; and a temperature sensor connected to the controller for measuring a temperature of the thermal conditioning device (71); wherein the self-learning mode causes the controller during a start-up phase to: calculate a ramp value representative of a rate of change in temperature during the start-up phase of the thermal conditioning device; adjust the at least one parameter as a function of the adjusted ramp value; use the adjusted at least one p
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Ioannis Argyris, Eric Granger
  • Publication number: 20180317697
    Abstract: A beverage machine (1) has: a beverage processing module (10) with a liquid inlet (11) and a module fastening arrangement (12,13,15); and a liquid supply tank (30) with a liquid outlet (31) and a tank fastening arrangement (32,33,35). The outlet (31) is fluidically connectable to the inlet (11) and disconnectable therefrom. The fastening arrangements (12,13,15;32,33,35) comprises a female connector (12) and a male connector (32) cooperating with the female connector (12) for reversibly assembling the module (10) and the tank (30). The fastening arrangements (12,13,15;32,33,35) further comprise at least one pair of a support surface (13,35) and a resilient member (33,15) cooperating together for urging the male connector (32) into the female connector (12) so as to fasten the tank (30) to the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Antoine Cahen, Eric Granger
  • Publication number: 20170367523
    Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: a beverage preparation module (20, 30) having a front face (21) with an outlet (31) for dispensing a prepared beverage; and a cup support (10) located under the outlet (31) for placing a cup (2) under the outlet (31). The cup support (10) has a rear face (11) removably assembled to the front face (21) by a mechanical connector arrangement (12,22) that comprises a front hook (22) on the front face (21) disassemblable from a corresponding rear hook (12) on the rear face (11). The rear hook (12) has a retaining element (121) and the front hook (22) has a retaining element (221), the retaining elements (121,221) being mutually engaged when the cup support (10) is assembled to the front face (21) and disengaged when the cup support (10) is disassembled from the front face (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Eric Granger, Pietro Mazza, Antoine Cahen
  • Publication number: 20170360246
    Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: a beverage preparation module (20, 30) having a front face (21) with an outlet (31) for dispensing a prepared beverage; and a cup support (10) located under the outlet (31) for placing a cup (2) under the outlet (31). The cup support (10) comprises a liquid collection receptacle (14) supporting a removable cup placement platform (16) that has a peripheral part (18). The collection receptacle (14) is delimited by at least one upright peripheral sidewall (15) forming a seat (15?) for placing the platform (16). The peripheral part (18) extends over and above the peripheral sidewall (15) when the platform (16) is placed in the seat (15?) so that the platform (16) is seizable at the peripheral part (18) adjacent the peripheral sidewall (15) by a user-hand for removing the platform (16) from the receptacle (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Eric Granger, Pietro Mazza, Antoine Cahen
  • Patent number: 9125518
    Abstract: An apparatus (30) for conditioning a food substance, such as milk or a milk-containing substance, comprises: —a food conditioning module (31) that has a structure (32) for holding such food substance and that has an electric device (35) comprising a conditioner (36) for imparting a conditioning effect to such food substance and a conditioner control unit (37) for controlling the conditioner; and —a user-interface device (40) in data-communication with the conditioner control unit to transmit user-data from the user-interface device to the control unit for controlling the conditioner accordingly. The user-interface device (40) is external to the food conditioning module (31) and disconnectably connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Guido Piai, Christian Probst, Antoine Cahen, Eric Granger
  • Patent number: 8839832
    Abstract: A machine (1) for dispensing a beverage (50) has: a service arrangement (6, 60); and a movable support (5) for supporting a user-recipient (51) in a position for collecting the beverage. The support has: an unlocking position for giving user-access to the service arrangement for servicing; and a locking position for preventing user-access to the service arrangement for servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Antoine Cahen, Eric Granger
  • Publication number: 20130081739
    Abstract: A machine (1) for dispensing a beverage (50) has: a service arrangement (6, 60); and a movable support (5) for supporting a user-recipient (51) in a position for collecting the beverage. The support has: an unlocking position for giving user-access to the service arrangement for servicing; and a locking position for preventing user-access to the service arrangement for servicing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Antoine Cahen, Eric Granger
  • Publication number: 20130061763
    Abstract: An apparatus (30) for conditioning a food substance, such as milk or a milk-containing substance, comprises: —a food conditioning module (31) that has a structure (32) for holding such food substance and that has an electric device (35) comprising a conditioner (36) for imparting as a conditioning effect to such food substance and a conditioner control unit (37) for controlling the conditioner; and —a user-interface device (40) in data-communication with the conditioner control unit to transmit user-data from the user-interface device to the control unit for controlling the conditioner accordingly. The user-interface device (40) is external to the food conditioning module (31) and disconnectably connected thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Guido Piai, Christian Probst, Antoine Cahen, Eric Granger
  • Publication number: 20120072029
    Abstract: A system and a method for detecting and diagnosing faults in heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment is described. The system comprises a sensor; a classifier modelling a normal behaviour of the HVAC equipment in situ in the installed operation environment, the classifier having a plurality of classifier parameters for computing a classifier score using an input data based on a measured value from the sensor, the plurality of classifier parameters being created during a training phase of the system using the input data during the training phase; and a decision module for comparing the classifier score to a decision threshold, the decision threshold being set during the training phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: HEATVU INC.
    Inventors: Gerald Persaud, Greg Hiebert, Eric Granger
  • Patent number: 6762497
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit. According to the method, a second dielectric layer is formed above a first dielectric layer, and holes and/or trenches are etched in the first and second dielectric layers. The holes and/or trenches are filled with metal in order to form electrical connection elements, and at least a third dielectric layer is formed. Holes and/or trenches are selectively etched in the third dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer with respect to the first dielectric layer and the elements, in order to control the depth of the etch. Additionally, there is provided an integrated circuit of the type having metallization levels separated by dielectric layers and metallized vias connecting lines of different metallization levels. The integrated circuit includes first and second metallization levels, first and second superposed dielectric layers located above the first metallization level, and a third dielectric layer located above the first and second dielectric layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Gayet, Eric Granger
  • Publication number: 20020079589
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit. According to the method, a second dielectric layer is formed above a first dielectric layer, and holes and/or trenches are etched in the first and second dielectric layers. The holes and/or trenches are filled with metal in order to form electrical connection elements, and at least a third dielectric layer is formed. Holes and/or trenches are selectively etched in the third dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer with respect to the first dielectric layer and the elements, in order to control the depth of the etch. Additionally, there is provided an integrated circuit of the type having metallization levels separated by dielectric layers and metallized vias connecting lines of different metallization levels. The integrated circuit includes first and second metallization levels, first and second superposed dielectric layers located above the first metallization level, and a third dielectric layer located above the first and second dielectric layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Gayet, Eric Granger
  • Patent number: 6355552
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit. According to the method, a second dielectric layer is formed above a first dielectric layer, and holes and/or trenches are etched in the first and second dielectric layers. The holes and/or trenches are filled with metal in order to form electrical connection elements, and at least a third dielectric layer is formed. Holes and/or trenches are selectively etched in the third dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer with respect to the first dielectric layer and the elements, in order to control the depth of the etch. Additionally, there is provided an integrated circuit of the type having metallization levels separated by dielectric layers and metallized vias connecting lines of different metallization levels. The integrated circuit includes first and second metallization levels, first and second superposed dielectric layers located above the first metallization level, and a third dielectric layer located above the first and second dielectric layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Gayet, Eric Granger