Patents by Inventor Raphael Bernhardsgruetter

Raphael Bernhardsgruetter 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: 10070751
    Abstract: A capsule has an inlet face C formed by a circular section and a bulge section extending from the circular section so that the inlet face C is not symmetric in rotation. The capsule further has an optically readable code on a side wall of a cup-shaped body of the capsule opposite the bulge section. A beverage production machine has a capsule holder for holding the capsule in the beverage production machine so that the optically readable code can be read by a code reader. Liquid can be supplied to the capsule to produce a nutritional product. The optically readable code and the code reader can be prevented from being contaminated with liquid, vapor, dirt or the like. The beverage production machine can perform an automatic detection of the capsule type and a corresponding automatic setting of preparation parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Ines Magniet, Yann Epars, Vincent Martin, Heinz Wyss, Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Roland Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20170020328
    Abstract: A capsule has an inlet face C formed by a circular section and a bulge section extending from the circular section so that the inlet face C is not symmetric in rotation. The capsule further has an optically readable code on a side wall of a cup-shaped body of the capsule opposite the bulge section. A beverage production machine has a capsule holder for holding the capsule in the beverage production machine so that the optically readable code can be read by a code reader. Liquid can be supplied to the capsule to produce a nutritional product. The optically readable code and the code reader can be prevented from being contaminated with liquid, vapor, dirt or the like. The beverage production machine can perform an automatic detection of the capsule type and a corresponding automatic setting of preparation parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Ines Magniet, Yann Epars, Vincent Martin, Heinz Wyss, Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Roland Lehmann
  • Patent number: 9499333
    Abstract: The present invention presents a capsule 1 having an inlet face C, which is formed by a circular section 2a and a bulge section 2b extending from the circular section 2a giving the inlet face C a not symmetric in rotation. The capsule 1 further has an optically readable code 3 on a side wall 4 of a cup-shaped body of the capsule 1 opposite the bulge section 2b. The present invention further presents a beverage production machine with a capsule holder 13 for holding a capsule 1 in such a way in the beverage production machine 10, that the optically readable code can be read by a code reader 24. Liquid can be supplied to the capsule to produce a nutritional product. The present invention provides means to prevent the optically readable code 3 and the code reader 24, respectively, from being contaminated with liquid, vapor, dirt or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Ines Magniet, Yann Epars, Vincent Martin, Heinz Wyss, Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Roland Lehmann
  • Patent number: 9408495
    Abstract: Device for producing a frothed liquid comprising a chamber opened to atmosphere with a transverse bottom wall and a longitudinal upward wall, at least one diluent inlet, at least one liquid delivery outlet. The diluent inlet is provided through the upward wall and is dimensioned and oriented for directing a thin jet of diluent in the chamber. The at least one liquid delivery outlet is configured in the bottom wall for liquid to rise up along the side of the upward wall by the jet of diluent entering the chamber as a result of the direction and dimension of the diluent inlet in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Gugerli, Jean-Luc Thuliez, Iwan Kissling, Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Cedric Beausire, Nihan Dogan, David J. Harrison, David Hamel
  • Patent number: 9370272
    Abstract: Production machine (1) for beverages and liquid comestibles, the machine comprising: a housing (20); a capsule holder designed for insertion into the housing (20), wherein the capsule holder comprises a capsule receiving means (11); a liquid injection assembly (4a, 4b) provided in the housing (20). The capsule holder and the machine are designed such that the capsule holder can be transferred manually, via a relative movement of the capsule holder and the housing of the machine, at least between: —a first capsule loaded position, in which any capsule (30) received in the capsule holder is positioned ready for being engaged by the liquid injection assembly (4a, 4b) and, —a second capsule loading position adapted for loading a capsule outside of the housing (20). Complementary stopping means of the capsule holder and the housing are provided which are configured to automatically engage each other to stop the capsule holder in the second capsule loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Yann Epars, Vincent Martin, Heinz Wyss, Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Lucio Scorrano
  • Patent number: 9307859
    Abstract: Device for producing a frothed liquid comprising a chamber opened to atmosphere with a transverse bottom wall and a longitudinal upward wall, at least one diluent inlet, at least one liquid delivery outlet. The at least one diluent inlet comprises a first diluent inlet provided through the upward wall and dimensioned and oriented for directing a thin jet of diluent in the chamber. The at least one liquid delivery outlet is configured in the bottom wall for liquid to rise up along the side of the upward wall by the jet of diluent entering the chamber as a result of the direction and dimension of the diluent inlet in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Gugerli, Jean-Luc Thuliez, Iwan Kissling, Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Cedric Beausire, Nihan Dogan, David J. Harrison, David Hamel
  • Patent number: 9107537
    Abstract: The invention relates to a refillable multi-dose container (1) for storing a flowable product comprising: —a tank (2) with a top opened extremity (3), —means (4) for closing the top opened extremity (3) of the tank (2), said means being openable by exercising contact pressure on them and closable by stopping contact pressure on them. The invention relates too to a machine comprising such a multi-dose container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Lucio Scorrano, Dieter Falk
  • Publication number: 20150128812
    Abstract: Device for producing a frothed liquid comprising a chamber opened to atmosphere with a transverse bottom wall and a longitudinal upward wall, at least one diluent inlet, at least one liquid delivery outlet. The at least one diluent inlet comprises a first diluent inlet provided through the upward wall and dimensioned and oriented for directing a thin jet of diluent in the chamber. The at least one liquid delivery outlet is configured in the bottom wall for liquid to rise up along the side of the upward wall by the jet of diluent entering the chamber as a result of the direction and dimension of the diluent inlet in the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Raphael Gugerli, Jean-Luc Thuliez, Iwan Kissling, Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Cedric Beausire, Nihan Dogan, David J. Harrison, David Hamel
  • Publication number: 20150110936
    Abstract: Device for producing a frothed liquid comprising a chamber opened to atmosphere with a transverse bottom wall and a longitudinal upward wall, at least one diluent inlet, at least one liquid delivery outlet. The diluent inlet is provided through the upward wall and is dimensioned and oriented for directing a thin jet of diluent in the chamber. The at least one liquid delivery outlet is configured in the bottom wall for liquid to rise up along the side of the upward wall by the jet of diluent entering the chamber as a result of the direction and dimension of the diluent inlet in the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Raphael Gugerli, Jean-Luc Thuliez, Iwan Kissling, Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Cedric Beausire, Nihan Dogan, David J. Harrison, David Hamel
  • Patent number: 8986766
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage mixing and dispersing apparatus comprising: —a metering device, —a mixing chamber, —at least one diluent feeding means, —means for moving the mixing chamber, characterized in that the mixing chamber is movable between: —a metering position, where the metering device outlet emerges in the mixing chamber inlet, and —a mixing position, where the diluent feeding means are able to inject the diluent in the mixing chamber and the metering device outlet does not emerge in the mixing chamber inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Cedric Beausire, Lucio Scorrano
  • Patent number: 8960079
    Abstract: Device for producing a frothed liquid comprising a chamber 13 opened to atmosphere with a transverse bottom wall 14 and a longitudinal upward wall 15, at least one diluent inlet 18, at least one liquid delivery outlet 20, wherein the diluent inlet is provided through the upward wall and is dimensioned and oriented for directing a thin jet of diluent in the chamber, and wherein the at least one liquid delivery outlet is configured in the bottom wall for liquid to rise up along the side of the upward wall by the jet of diluent entering the chamber as a result of the direction and dimension of the diluent inlet in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Gugerli, Jean-Luc Thuliez, Iwan Kissling, Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Cedric Beausire, Nihan Dogan, David J. Harrison, David Hamel
  • Patent number: 8950254
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a beverage machine (1) comprising a tank (2), which holds a liquid for preparing a beverage, and a dispenser (7), to which the tank is connectable, wherein the tank (2) comprises a valve (8); the dispenser comprises an opening (9) for receiving the valve in connection of the tank on the dispenser; at least one ultrasonic transceiver (3) is disposed in the dispenser (7) or tank (2), the ultrasonic transceiver being designed to emit and receive ultrasonic waves (4a, 4b) in the liquid, in order to determine the distance (d) from the transceiver to the liquid level (5), wherein it further comprises a control unit (6), which is connected to the ultrasonic transceiver (3) which is adapted to determine the distance (d) changing with time and as a result the volume (V) of the liquid flowing out of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Ralph Kugler, Yann Epars, HansPeter Pleisch, Vincent Martin
  • Publication number: 20130305932
    Abstract: Production machine (1) for beverages and liquid comestibles, the machine comprising: a housing (20); a capsule holder designed for insertion into the housing (20), wherein the capsule holder comprises a capsule receiving means (11); a liquid injection assembly (4a, 4b) provided in the housing (20). The capsule holder and the machine are designed such that the capsule holder can be transferred manually, via a relative movement of the capsule holder and the housing of the machine, at least between: —a first capsule loaded position, in which any capsule (30) received in the capsule holder is positioned ready for being engaged by the liquid injection assembly (4a, 4b) and, —a second capsule loading position adapted for loading a capsule outside of the housing (20). Complementary stopping means of the capsule holder and the housing are provided which are configured to automatically engage each other to stop the capsule holder in the second capsule loading position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Yann Epars, Vincent Martin, Heinz Wyss, Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Lucio Scorrano
  • Patent number: 8579166
    Abstract: The invention concerns a dosing device for dosing a metered amount of a powdered product comprising: —a fixed body (2) made of at least a disc presenting a single pierced aperture (5), —a rotary top disk (1) disposed on the top of the fixed body (2) and presenting a taking out pierced aperture (4), —a rotary bottom disk (3) disposed on the bottom of the fixed body and presenting a discharging pierced aperture (6), —a rotary shaft (7) connecting the bottom disk (1) and the top disk (3), wherein in the stand-by position of the device the metered pierced aperture (5) is empty and closed to the atmosphere. The invention also concerns a beverage preparation apparatus implementing such a dosing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Cedric Beausire, Lucio Scorrano
  • Publication number: 20130236609
    Abstract: The present invention presents a capsule 1 having an inlet face C, which is formed by a circular section 2a and a bulge section 2b extending from the circular section 2a giving the inlet face C a not symmetric in rotation. The capsule 1 further has an optically readable code 3 on a side wall 4 of a cup-shaped body of the capsule 1 opposite the bulge section 2b. The present invention further presents a beverage production machine with a capsule holder 13 for holding a capsule 1 in such a way in the beverage production machine 10, that the optically readable code can be read by a code reader 24. Liquid can be supplied to the capsule to produce a nutritional product. The present invention provides means to prevent the optically readable code 3 and the code reader 24, respectively, from being contaminated with liquid, vapor, dirt or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Ines Magniet, Yann Epars, Vincent Martin, Heinz Wyss, Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Roland Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20130036815
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a beverage machine (1) comprising a tank (2), which holds a liquid for preparing a beverage, and a dispenser (7), to which the tank is connectable, wherein the tank (2) comprises a valve (8); the dispenser comprises an opening (9) for receiving the valve in connection of the tank on the dispenser; at least one ultrasonic transceiver (3) is disposed in the dispenser (7) or tank (2), the ultrasonic transceiver being designed to emit and receive ultrasonic waves (4a, 4b) in the liquid, in order to determine the distance (d) from the transceiver to the liquid level (5), wherein it further comprises a control unit (6), which is connected to the ultrasonic transceiver (3) which is adapted to determine the distance (d) changing with time and as a result the volume (V) of the liquid flowing out of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Ralph Kugler, Yann Epars, HansPeter Pleisch, Vincent Martin
  • Publication number: 20120009318
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage mixing and dispersing apparatus comprising :—a metering device,—a mixing chamber,—at least one diluent feeding means,—means for moving the mixing chamber, characterized in that the mixing chamber is movable between:—a metering position, where the metering device outlet emerges in the mixing chamber inlet, and—a mixing position, where the diluent feeding means are able to inject the diluent in the mixing chamber and the metering device outlet does not emerge in the mixing chamber inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Cedric Beausire, Lucio Scorrano
  • Publication number: 20120006850
    Abstract: The invention concerns a dosing device for dosing a metered amount of a powdered product comprising: a fixed body (2) made of at least a disc presenting a single pierced aperture (5), a rotary top disk (1) disposed on the top of the fixed body (2) and presenting a taking out pierced aperture (4), a rotary bottom disk (3) disposed on the bottom of the fixed body and presenting a discharging pierced aperture (6), a rotary shaft (7) connecting the bottom disk (1) and the top disk (3), wherein in the stand-by position of the device the metered pierced aperture (5) is empty and closed to the atmosphere. The invention also concerns a beverage preparation apparatus implementing such a dosing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Cedric Beausire, Lucio Scorrano
  • Publication number: 20110076374
    Abstract: The invention concerns a mixing assembly (1) comprising a mixing chamber (2) adapted to mix a soluble ingredient with a diluent, wherein the mixing assembly comprises an overflow channel (41), said overflow channel running along the external wall of the mixing chamber so that a liquid exceeding the capacity of the mixing chamber is able to flow in the overflow channel and the outlets (3) of the mixing chamber and the overflow channel allowing the liquid contained in the mixing chamber and the overflow channel to exit and mix in the same place. The invention also concerns a process for mixing a soluble ingredient with a diluent using the above mixing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Lucio Scorrano, Cedric Beausire
  • Publication number: 20100175561
    Abstract: The invention relates to a refillable multi-dose container (1) for storing a flowable product comprising: —a tank (2) with a top opened extremity (3), —means (4) for closing the top opened extremity (3) of the tank (2), said means being openable by exercising contact pressure on them and closable by stopping contact pressure on them. The invention relates too to a machine comprising such a multi-dose container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Lucio Scorrano, Dieter Falk