Patents by Inventor Heinz A. Vetterli
Heinz A. Vetterli 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: 11717107Abstract: A machine for preparing hot beverages, including a beverage outlet for dispensing a prepared hot beverage, an instantaneous water heater for heating water during preparation of the hot beverage, a flow meter for determining the volume flow of water flowing through the instantaneous water heater, and a drainage valve arranged downstream of the instantaneous water heater in the direction of flow formed as a controlled directional control valve via which water flowing through the instantaneous water heater can be conducted to a waste water line or collection container instead towards the beverage outlet. A control device is provided having a scale detection function for analyzing a scaling level of the instantaneous water heater using measured values of the flow meter. This control device, during scaling level analysis, switches the drainage valve to a switched position in which the fluid flow is conducted from the instantaneous water heater directly to the waste water line or collection container.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2018Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AGInventors: Heinz Vetterli, Simon Muller
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Publication number: 20230012714Abstract: A beverage maker for dispensing coffee beverages includes a water heater, a brewing apparatus, which can be supplied with hot water from the water heater, and an outlet device, which is connected to the brewing apparatus via a hot-beverage line. The beverage maker also has at least one outlet head, which can be secured on the outlet device and is intended for dispensing one or more beverage components, which are guided to the outlet device via separate food lines. The outlet device has a mechanical interface in order for the outlet head to be coupled on in a sealing manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2020Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AGInventor: Heinz VETTERLI
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Patent number: 11452402Abstract: A supply device for one or more beverage-dispensing machines (1a, 1b) is provided, having a holding space for the insertion of at least two storage containers (5a, 5b) for liquid foods, in particular milk, which storage containers can be connected to the one or more beverage-dispensing machines by food lines (4a, 4b, 4a?, 4b?). The supply device (2) has a cooling device (10) for the temperature control of liquid foods contained in the storage containers to a specifiable target temperature. A thermally conductive, in particular metal, contact surface (8a, 8b) is provided for each of the food containers (5a, 5b), which contact surface is in thermally conductive contact with a thermally conductive outer wall (7a, 7b), in particular bottom surface, of the storage container in question when the storage container is installed, in order to cool the contents of the storage container.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2017Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AGInventors: Mariano Turi, Heinz Vetterli
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Patent number: 11332912Abstract: Dispensing of hot water having an adjustable temperature by way of a water outlet fitting that can be installed on a sink. This is achieved by a continuous flow heater and a measured value sensor arranged in a water inlet of the water outlet fitting as the hot water heater. The measured value sensor detects a measurement variable with regard to water flowing through the continuous flow heater (10). The water dispensing device has a control unit, which is designed to regulate a flow rate through the continuous flow heater as a function of measured values of the measured value sensor in order to adjust the temperature of the hot water.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2018Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: KWC AGInventors: Heinz Vetterli, Andreas Ruegg
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Patent number: 11045042Abstract: A fully automatic beverage machine for preparing freshly brewed hot beverages, having at least one hot-water generator (10, 20), a brewing device (50) to which hot water can be supplied from the hot water generator (10, 20), and a water pump (11, 21) which pumps drinking water from a drinking water supply line (30) to the hot water generator (10, 20). The hot water generator (10, 20) is a continuous flow heater and a flowmeter (12, 22) for determining the volume of drinking water pumped by the water pump (11, 21). Additionally, the fully automatic beverage machine is equipped with an automatic decalcification system (40) for automatically decalcifying the continuous flow heater (10, 20).Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2017Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AGInventor: Heinz Vetterli
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Patent number: 10925434Abstract: In a method and an associated brewing apparatus for preparing a hot beverage, in particular a coffee beverage, a quantity of a flavoring source, in particular coffee powder, is introduced into a brewing chamber and then, in a brewing operation, a predeterminable overall quantity of brewing water is passed through the brewing chamber under pressure, in order to enhance the taste quality of the freshly brewed coffee beverages or at least to increase the consistency of the taste. During the brewing operation, a value for the volume flow of the brewing water upstream or downstream of the brewing chamber, and/or for the quantity of the brewing water which has already been passed through, or is still to be passed through, is determined continuously, or at least a number of times, and a controllable backpressure valve downstream of the brewing chamber is activated in accordance with the value determined.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AGInventors: Heinz Vetterli, Mariano Turi, Simon Muller
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Publication number: 20210030197Abstract: A machine for preparing hot beverages, including a beverage outlet for dispensing a prepared hot beverage, an instantaneous water heater for heating water during preparation of the hot beverage, a flow meter for determining the volume flow of water flowing through the instantaneous water heater, and a drainage valve arranged downstream of the instantaneous water heater in the direction of flow formed as a controlled directional control valve via which water flowing through the instantaneous water heater can be conducted to a waste water line or collection container instead towards the beverage outlet. A control device is provided having a scale detection function for analyzing a scaling level of the instantaneous water heater using measured values of the flow meter. This control device, during scaling level analysis, switches the drainage valve to a switched position in which the fluid flow is conducted from the instantaneous water heater directly to the waste water line or collection container.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2018Publication date: February 4, 2021Applicant: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AGInventors: Heinz VETTERLI, Simon MULLER
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Patent number: 10856691Abstract: In order to improve a beverage preparation device in terms of operability and ergonomics and in particular to simplify filling of a supply container with solid beverage starting products, a supply container arrangement is provided which has at least one two-part supply container having a lower part-container and a removable upper part-container which can be arranged on the lower part-container. The upper part-container has a bottom with a connection opening on which a closure device is arranged which is designed, when joining together the upper and lower part-containers, to open automatically and to free a connection between the upper and lower part-containers.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AGInventor: Heinz Vetterli
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Publication number: 20190360183Abstract: Dispensing of hot water having an adjustable temperature by way of a water outlet fitting that can be installed on a sink. This is achieved by a continuous flow heater and a measured value sensor arranged in a water inlet of the water outlet fitting as the hot water heater. The measured value sensor detects a measurement variable with regard to water flowing through the continuous flow heater (10). The water dispensing device has a control unit, which is designed to regulate a flow rate through the continuous flow heater as a function of measured values of the measured value sensor in order to adjust the temperature of the hot water.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2018Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: Franke Water Systems AGInventors: Heinz Vetterli, Andreas Ruegg
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Publication number: 20190350405Abstract: A fully automatic beverage machine for preparing freshly brewed hot beverages, having at least one hot-water generator (10, 20), a brewing device (50) to which hot water can be supplied from the hot water generator (10, 20), and a water pump (11, 21) which pumps drinking water from a drinking water supply line (30) to the hot water generator (10, 20). The hot water generator (10, 20) is a continuous flow heater and a flowmeter (12, 22) for determining the volume of drinking water pumped by the water pump (11, 21). Additionally, the fully automatic beverage machine is equipped with an automatic decalcification system (40) for automatically decalcifying the continuous flow heater (10, 20).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2017Publication date: November 21, 2019Applicant: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AGInventor: Heinz Vetterli
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Patent number: 10327581Abstract: In order to provide simple and safe handling of cleaning agents in a drink dispensing device with an integrated cleaning system, a cleaning agent container is disclosed which is designed as a container (1) that is closed on all sides and comprises a connection terminal (4) arranged laterally on the container. This connection terminal (4) includes a first piercing region (7a) that is provided with a pierceable closure (13, 8a) and fluidically communicates with the base region of the container (1).Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AGInventors: Heinz Vetterli, Mariano Turi
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Publication number: 20190038068Abstract: A supply device for one or more beverage-dispensing machines (1a, 1b) is provided, having a holding space for the insertion of at least two storage containers (5a, 5b) for liquid foods, in particular milk, which storage containers can be connected to the one or more beverage-dispensing machines by food lines (4a, 4b, 4a?, 4b?). The supply device (2) has a cooling device (10) for the temperature control of liquid foods contained in the storage containers to a specifiable target temperature. A thermally conductive, in particular metal, contact surface (8a, 8b) is provided for each of the food containers (5a, 5b), which contact surface is in thermally conductive contact with a thermally conductive outer wall (7a, 7b), in particular bottom surface, of the storage container in question when the storage container is installed, in order to cool the contents of the storage container.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2017Publication date: February 7, 2019Applicant: FRANKE KAFFEMASCHINEN AGInventors: Mariano Turi, Heinz Vetterli
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Patent number: 10182679Abstract: In order to specify, in the case of an apparatus for dispensing liquid foodstuffs, in particular milk products, an integrated cleaning system which is straightforward and reliable to handle, provision is made for a foodstuff-supply line to be provided with a connection, on which can be fitted an intake line which leads to a storage tank containing the liquid foodstuff, and for a connecting element to be provided, it being possible for this connecting element, when the intake line has been removed, to be fitted onto the connection in order for the foodstuff-supply line to be connected fluidically to the integrated cleaning system.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: FRANKE Kaffeemaschinen AGInventors: Heinz Vetterli, Mariano Turi
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Patent number: 10092015Abstract: A device for generating milk froth, including a pump for conveying milk from a reservoir, an air intake, and at least one back-pressure element, with the back-pressure element being arranged upstream in reference to the pump and the air intake upstream in reference to the back-pressure element. The back-pressure element is embodied as a mixing element, which has in the direction of flow a cross-sectional area that the flow passes through that is not reducing, with the cross-sectional area that the flow passes through at the input side being at least equivalent to the cross-section of the connecting pipeline arranged between the pump and the mixing element. A method for generating milk froth as well as the use of a helical mixer for the generation of milk froth are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2015Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AGInventor: Heinz Vetterli
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Publication number: 20180255961Abstract: In a method and an associated brewing apparatus for preparing a hot beverage, in particular a coffee beverage, a quantity of a flavoring source, in particular coffee powder, is introduced into a brewing chamber and then, in a brewing operation, a predeterminable overall quantity of brewing water is passed through the brewing chamber under pressure, in order to enhance the taste quality of the freshly brewed coffee beverages or at least to increase the consistency of the taste. During the brewing operation, a value for the volume flow of the brewing water upstream or downstream of the brewing chamber, and/or for the quantity of the brewing water which has already been passed through, or is still to be passed through, is determined continuously, or at least a number of times, and a controllable backpressure valve downstream of the brewing chamber is activated in accordance with the value determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2016Publication date: September 13, 2018Applicant: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AGInventors: Heinz Vetterli, Mariano Turi, Simon Muller
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Publication number: 20180255962Abstract: A method for preparing a coffee drink is provided in which, in a brewing process, a pre-specifiable total amount of brewing water is conducted through an amount of powdered coffee. In order to improve the tasting quality of freshly-brewed coffee drinks while, at least, increasing the uniformity of taste characteristics in successively prepared coffee drinks, a total through-flow time for the brewing process is or can be predefined in which the total amount of brewing water is conducted through an amount of powdered coffee.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2016Publication date: September 13, 2018Applicant: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AGInventors: Heinz Vetterli, Simon Muller, Mariano Turi
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Publication number: 20180255964Abstract: In order to specify, in the case of an apparatus for dispensing liquid foodstuffs, in particular milk products, an integrated cleaning system which is straightforward and reliable to handle, provision is made for a foodstuff-supply line to be provided with a connection, on which can be fitted an intake line which leads to a storage tank containing the liquid foodstuff, and for a connecting element to be provided, it being possible for this connecting element, when the intake line has been removed, to be fitted onto the connection in order for the foodstuff-supply line to be connected fluidically to the integrated cleaning system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2016Publication date: September 13, 2018Applicant: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AGInventors: Heinz Vetterli, Mariano Turi
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Publication number: 20180184839Abstract: In order to provide simple and safe handling of cleaning agents in a drink dispensing device with an integrated cleaning system, a cleaning agent container is disclosed which is designed as a container (1) that is closed on all sides and comprises a connection terminal (4) arranged laterally on the container. This connection terminal (4) includes a first piercing region (7a) that is provided with a pierceable closure (13, 8a) and fluidically communicates with the base region of the container (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2016Publication date: July 5, 2018Applicant: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AGInventors: Heinz Vetterli, Mariano Turi
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Publication number: 20180028016Abstract: In order to improve a beverage preparation device in terms of operability and ergonomics and in particular to simplify filling of a supply container with solid beverage starting products, a supply container arrangement is provided which has at least one two-part supply container having a lower part-container and a removable upper part-container which can be arranged on the lower part-container. The upper part-container has a bottom with a connection opening on which a closure device is arranged which is designed, when joining together the upper and lower part-containers, to open automatically and to free a connection between the upper and lower part-containers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Applicant: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AGInventor: Heinz Vetterli
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Patent number: D794463Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2016Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AGInventors: Mariano Turi, Heinz Vetterli