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).

  • Patent number: 11642443
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Etienne Furrer, André Schlienger, Marcel Muther
  • Patent number: 11000151
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Etienne Furrer, Armin Felber, Marcel Muther
  • Publication number: 20210038782
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Etienne Furrer, André Schlienger, Marcel Muther
  • Patent number: 10821213
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Etienne Furrer, André Schlienger, Marcel Muther
  • Patent number: 10639407
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Beda Weber, Etienne Furrer, André Schlienger, Brian H. Silver, Daniela Wäckerlin, Armin Felber
  • Patent number: 10493188
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Brian H. Silver, Samuel B. Levey, Carr Lane Quackenbush, Beda Weber, Etienne Furrer, Daniela Wackerlin
  • Patent number: 10493187
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Brian H. Silver, Sam Levey, Carr Lane Quackenbush, Beda Weber, Etienne Furrer, Daniela Wackerlin
  • Publication number: 20190313843
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Etienne Furrer, Armin Felber, Marcel Muther
  • Patent number: 10391214
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Etienne Furrer, Mario Rigert, André Schlienger
  • Patent number: 10335525
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Armin Felber, Etienne Furrer
  • Patent number: 10149929
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Etienne Furrer, Mario Rigert, André Schlienger
  • Publication number: 20180236147
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Beda Weber, Etienne Furrer, André Schlienger, Brian H. Silver, Daniela Wäckerlin, Armin Felber
  • Patent number: 9956331
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Beda Weber, Etienne Furrer, André Schlienger, Brian H. Silver, Daniela Wäckerlin, Armin Felber
  • Publication number: 20180064859
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Brian H. Silver, Sam Levey, Carr Lane Quackenbush, Beda Weber, Etienne Furrer, Daniela Wackerlin
  • Publication number: 20180021492
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Etienne Furrer, André Schlienger, Marcel Muther
  • Patent number: 9840032
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: René Fischer, Etienne Furrer, 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
  • Patent number: D846112
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Marcel Muther, Etienne Furrer, André Schlienger, Jürg Feller