Patents by Inventor Stefan Etter
Stefan Etter 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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Publication number: 20150335193Abstract: The invention relates to a device for preparing a beverage from a beverage ingredient contained in a receptacle (17) by driving the receptacle (17) in centrifugation comprising a holding part (16) arranged for holding the receptacle (17) in a position enabling it to be rotated along a longitudinal axis of rotation (I), a liquid interfacing part (8) arranged for engaging against the receptacle (17) and for supplying water in the receptacle (17) and extracting the beverage. The holding part (16) and the liquid interfacing part (8) are connected together by connection means in such a manner that these parts (8, 16) rotate together with the receptacle (17) during centrifugation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2013Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Christian Jarisch, Zbynek STRUZKA, Stefan Etter, Alexandre PERENTES
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Patent number: 9101247Abstract: A flowmeter (1) comprises a housing (2,4) delimiting a measuring chamber (10). The housing is formed of a first body (4) and second body (2) that are assembled together by a bayonet connector having a number of pairs of interconnecting securing parts (25, 25?, 25a, 26, 26?, 26a, 45, 45?, 45a). The pairs of securing parts are arranged so that the first and second bodies (2,4) are assemblable in only one position or in a number of different positions that is smaller than the number of pairs of interconnecting securing parts.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2010Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Stefan Etter, Martin Ziegler
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Publication number: 20150098836Abstract: A beverage production module includes a pump for delivering a fluid from a tank to an extraction chamber, a power source for the pump and a controller for operating the pump and for controlling the voltage applied from the power source to the pump, wherein the controller is adapted to operate the pump at a normal operation voltage (U3) and to operate the pump over a predefined time (T1,T2) at a reduced voltage level (U1, U2). A method for operating the pump of a beverage production module is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Guido Piai, Stefan Etter
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Patent number: 8973598Abstract: A priming valve device for a beverage machine. The device includes a casing assembly including a water inlet, a water outlet, and a drain and venting portion for discharging water or air during priming and a valve assembly associated with the casing assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve member which is moveable to a closed position which closes the water outlet by elastic return when the pressure in the water inlet decreases under the elastic return pressure of the valve member.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2006Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Stefan Etter, Sandro Zingg
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Patent number: 8951020Abstract: A beverage production module that includes a pump for delivering a fluid from a tank to an extraction chamber, a power source for the pump and a controller for operating the pump and for controlling the voltage applied from the power source to the pump. The controller is adapted to operate the pump both at a normal operation voltage over a predefined time at a reduced voltage level. The invention further relates to a method for operating the pump of the beverage production module.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2008Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Guido Piai, Stefan Etter
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Publication number: 20140322401Abstract: The invention concerns a unit (1000) for controlling transmission of power to a thermal conditioning device (100) e.g. for coffee machine, comprising a controller (2) with a start-up profile for starting-up said device (100) from a temperature of inactivity (TI) to an operative temperature for bringing to a target temperature (TT) a fluid circulating through said device (100) at start-up end, said controller (2) being arranged to allow circulation of fluid through said device (100) at start-up end and to compare the determined temperature (SOT) of fluid circulated at start-up end to the target temperature (TT) and derive a temperature difference therefrom. It is characterized in that the start-up profile has at least one parameter and in that said controller (2) has a self-learning mode for adjusting said parameter as a function of said temperature difference and to store the adjusted parameter for a subsequent starting-up of said device (100).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2011Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: NESTEC S.A.Inventors: Stefan Etter, Peter Mori
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Patent number: 8850957Abstract: A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine by providing a group of interconnected components which include a brewing unit for receiving a beverage ingredient beverage and a liquid; an in-line heater for the liquid; a pump; one or more fluid connecting members; an electric control unit for receiving instructions from a user via an interface and for controlling the heater and pump; and one or more electric sensors for sensing at least one operational characteristic of the brewing unit, the heater, the pump, a liquid reservoir, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid, a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid and for communicating the characteristic(s) to the control unit. At least two or three modules, each containing at least two components, are preassembled such that the components are automatically seizable, orientable, positionable and fully connectable to each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2009Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Steve Aemisegger, Leo Bühler, Stefan Etter, Urs Gaudenz, Gilles Gavillet, Thomas Hodel, Alexandre Kollep, Markus Lang, Michael Meier, Peter Möri, Renzo Moser, Peter Preisig, Rudolf Schenk, Robin Schwab
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Publication number: 20140245894Abstract: A device for the preparation of a liquid food or beverage, such as tea, coffee or soup from a preferably portioned ingredient, in particular in the form of capsules, housed within a beverage preparation chamber. The device includes a housing, a pump comprising a pump chamber, in particular a pump chamber containing a piston moveably mounted therein, the pump further comprising a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, a liquid supply which is in fluid connection with the liquid inlet of the pump, a pump support connected to the housing of the device at which the pump is mounted, and a pre-suction chamber connected to the liquid inlet of the pump and being designed to intermittently provide liquid to the liquid inlet of the pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: NESTEC S.A.Inventors: Leo Bühler, Stefan ETTER, Thomas HODEL, Renzo MOSER, Michael MEIER
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Patent number: 8789429Abstract: A flowmeter that includes a moulded housing delimiting a measuring chamber; a rotatable measuring body having a rotatable shaft extending across the measuring chamber; and point bearings for mounting and positioning opposite extremities of the rotatable shaft in the housing. Each point bearing is formed of a protruding part and a cooperating facing counter-part part, in particular a recessed part, associated, respectively, with the housing and an extremity of the rotatable shaft, or vice versa. This protruding part and its counter-part are integrally formed with their associated moulded housing and rotatable shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Stefan Etter, Martin Ziegler
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Patent number: 8733230Abstract: Devices for the preparation of a liquid food or beverage. One device includes a housing, pump, pump support for securing the pump to the housing, a rigid duct that is connected by an elastic sealing member to the housing and to an inlet or outlet of the pump. The pump support includes an elastic support member for resiliently supporting the pump chamber in the housing. Another device includes a pre-suction chamber connected to a liquid inlet of a pump and being designed to intermittently provide liquid to said liquid inlet. A further device includes a connector of at least one elastic sealing member designed to absorb vibrations from a pump of the device and to enable a relative movement of a duct and a liquid inlet or outlet of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2009Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Leo Bühler, Stefan Etter, Thomas Hodel, Renzo Moser, Michael Meier
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Patent number: 8714031Abstract: A flowmeter, in particular for a beverage preparation machine, includes a housing, such as a moulded housing, delimiting a measuring chamber, and a measuring body, such as a moulded body, rotatably mounted in the measuring chamber. The housing and the measuring body are made of at least one of polyoxymethylene, polyformaldehyde or polybutyleneterehpthalate.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Stefan Etter, Martin Ziegler
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Publication number: 20140053733Abstract: An in-line heater for a liquid food or beverage preparation machine, in which machine liquid is circulated through the heater and then guided into a brewing chamber for brewing a food or beverage ingredient supplied into said brewing chamber. The heater has a body incorporating an inlet, an outlet and a heating chamber extending therebetween, with the inlet, outlet and heating chamber forming together a rigid passage for guiding the liquid circulating through the body, and one or more electric components that are secured on or in the body and connected to a printed circuit board arranged to control the heater. The one or more electric components are rigidly connected to the printed circuit board.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Stefan ETTER, Gilles GAVILLET, Thomas HODEL, Alexandre KOLLEP, Peter MÖRI, Renzo MOSER, Peter PREISIG, Robin SCHWAB
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Publication number: 20140026759Abstract: A liquid food or beverage preparation machine that includes a fluid arrangement and a printed circuit board for controlling one or more functions of the fluid arrangement, with the printed circuit board being enclosed within a substantially impervious housing to protect the printed circuit board from fluid or vapor emissions from the fluid arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Stefan ETTER, Urs GAUDENZ, Gilles GAVILLET, Thomas HODEL, Alexandre KOLLEP, Peter MÕRI, Renzo MOSER, Peter PREISIG, Robin SCHWAB
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Publication number: 20140022044Abstract: A liquid food of beverage preparation machine that includes an electric supply circuit connectable to an electric power source; a heater powered by the electric supply circuit; and a thermal fuse device in thermal communication with the heater and associated with the electric supply circuit, the fuse device being arranged to interrupt the electric supply circuit from the power source when the heater exceeds a temperature limit. The thermal fuse device is reversible and includes a switch for automatically interrupting the electric supply circuit when the heater exceeds the temperature limit, the switch being operable by a user to close the electric supply circuit when the heater has a temperature that has returned below the temperature limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Stefan ETTER, Urs GAUDENZ, Gilles GAVILLET, Thomas HODEL, Alexandre KOLLEP, Peter MÕRI, Renzo MOSER, Peter PREISIG, Robin SCHWAB
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Publication number: 20140020563Abstract: A combination of a flow meter and printed circuit board or flex-print for a liquid food or a beverage preparation machine, which board or flex-print is rigidly connected to the flow meter. This combination is used in a liquid food or beverage preparation machine that includes an in-line heating device in which machine liquid is circulated through the heating device and then guided into a brewing chamber that includes a capsule or pod housing for brewing a food or beverage ingredient supplied into the brewing chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Stefan ETTER, Urs GAUDENZ, Gilles GAVILLET, Thomas HODEL, Alexandre KOLLEP, Peter MÖRI, Renzo MOSER, Peter PREISIG, Robin SCHWAB
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Patent number: 8600223Abstract: An integrated in-line heater for a liquid food or beverage preparation machine, in which liquid is circulated through the heater and then guided into a brewing chamber for brewing a food or beverage ingredient, for instance within a pod or capsule, supplied into the brewing chamber. An upstream part of the brewing chamber may be formed by the heater. One or more electric components may be incorporated into the heater and rigidly connected to a printed circuit board. The heater may have a tubular inner core that is eccentric with respect to a tubular or prismatic outer member which form together a helicoidal heating chamber of variable cross-section.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Stefan Etter, Gilles Gavillet, Thomas Hodel, Alexandre Kollep, Peter Möri, Renzo Moser, Peter Preisig, Robin Schwab
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Patent number: 8573116Abstract: An in-line heating device for a liquid food or beverage preparation machine in which liquid is circulated through the heating device and then guided into a brewing chamber. This heating device includes a thermoblock with a metal mass that incorporates an inlet, an outlet and a heating chamber extending therebetween to form a passage for guiding the liquid circulating through the mass, with the mass arranged to accumulate heat and to supply heat to the liquid; and one or more electric components that are rigidly secured onto or into the thermoblock and that are connected to a printed circuit board or a flex-print arranged to control the thermoblock. The electric components are rigidly connected to the printed circuit board or flex-print, in particular via rigid connector pins or blades or rigid plug and socket members.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2008Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Stefan Etter, Urs Gaudenz, Gilles Gavillet, Thomas Hodel, Alexandre Kollep, Peter Möri, Renzo Moser, Peter Preisig, Robin Schwab
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Publication number: 20130247777Abstract: The invention pertains generally to a thermal sensor and a controlled heating system, in a beverage preparation machine. In particular, the invention relates to a thermal sensor comprising: connectors; an electrical coupling circuit; a sensing element having at least one measurable electrical quantity varying with the temperature of the sensing element; The sensing element is electrically coupled with the connectors through the electrical coupling circuit so as to allow measuring said electrical quantity at the level of the connectors. The sensor comprises a support having a first surface and a second surface thermally coupled and electrically isolated. The sensing element is thermally coupled with the first surface. The second surface is adapted to be thermally coupled with an area which temperature is to be measured.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2011Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: NESTEC S.A.Inventors: Stefan Etter, Martin Ziegler, Frank Krauchi
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Publication number: 20130206014Abstract: Device for preparing a beverage from a beverage ingredient contained in a receptacle (17) by driving the receptacle in centrifugation comprising:—a holding part (16) arranged for holding the receptacle in a position enabling it to be driven in rotation along a longitudinal axis of rotation (I),—a liquid interfacing part (8) arranged for supplying water in the receptacle and/or extracting the beverage from the receptacle,—a collecting part (44) for collecting the beverage obtained by the interaction between the ingredient and water in the receptacle, wherein the holding part and liquid interfacing part (8, 16) are connected together by connection means in such a manner that these parts (8, 16) rotate together with the receptacle during centrifugation, wherein the connection means comprise at least a first engaging surface (48; 86) of the holding part (16) and a second engaging surface (23; 87) of the liquid interfacing part (8) engaged in contact together during connection in a manner preventing the holding paType: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: NESTEC S.A.Inventors: Christian Jarisch, Stefan Etter, Alexandre Perentes
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Publication number: 20130183130Abstract: The invention aims to provide a device and a method for retrieving efficiently a capsule from a receptacle of a beverage production apparatus. In particular, the device allows retrieving a used capsule in safe conditions and without waiting time. The beverage production apparatus comprises a receptacle (1) with a cover (3) for receiving a capsule (2) containing beverage ingredient. The device comprises capsule extracting and guiding means consisting of a clamp (6) having members (6?, 6?) arranged on each lateral side of the cover (3) of the receptacle. The capsule (2) is provided with a rim (8) around its upper edge which is directed upwards when the capsule is inserted in the receptacle (1). At opening of the cover of the receptacle, the clamp (6) is activated in such a way to position its members under the rim (8) of the capsule which is lifted thanks to a spring (4) at the bottom of the capsule.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2011Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: NESTEC S.A.Inventor: Stefan Etter