Patents by Inventor Antti Hamunen
Antti Hamunen 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: 9422507Abstract: A process for recovering fatty acids, resin acids and sterols from tall oil pitch, said process comprising a) saponifying the tall oil pitch with an alkali to hydrolyze esters included in the pitch to free alcohols and organic acids in salt form, b) acidulating the saponified pitch with a mineral acid to convert the organic acids in salt form into free organic acids and to form an organic phase and an aqueous phase, c) separating the aqueous phase from the organic phase, d) evaporation fractionating the organic phase to obtain a distillate rich in sterols, fatty acids and resin acids, d) evaporation fractionating the organic phase to obtain a distillate rich in sterols, fatty acids and resin acids, e) evaporation fractionating the distillate to obtain a bottom fraction rich in sterols, and a distillate rich in fatty acids and resin acids, and f) subjecting the sterols in the sterol-rich bottom fraction to crystallization purification.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2013Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: RAVINTORAISIO OYInventor: Antti Hamunen
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Patent number: 8680324Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering sterols and fatty and/or resin acids from tall oil pitch, comprising the steps of: a) saponifying tall oil pitch to provide saponified tall oil pitch, b) drying the saponified pitch to obtain dried saponified pitch, c) subjecting the dried saponified pitch to a first high vacuum evaporation to obtain an unsaponifiable fraction as a distillate and a first residue, d) optionally subjecting said distillate to a second high vacuum evaporation to obtain an enriched unsaponifiable fraction, e) crystallizing sterols from the unsaponifiable fraction or the enriched unsaponifiable fraction, f) acidulating the first residue obtained in step c) to obtain an aqueous phase and an organic phase, separating the aqueous phase and drying the organic phase to obtain a dried organic phase, and g) subjecting the dried organic phase to vacuum distillation to obtain fatty and/or resin acids and a second residue, said process additionally comprising providing pitch-based heavy comType: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Raisio Nutrition Ltd.Inventors: Antti Hamunen, Juha Orte, Reino Kalmari, Kosti Mokkila, Marianne Kallio-Meriluoto
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Publication number: 20130261284Abstract: A process for recovering fatty acids, resin acids and sterols from tall oil pitch, said process comprising a) saponifying the tall oil pitch with an alkali to hydrolyse esters included in the pitch to free alcohols and organic acids in salt form, b) acidulating the saponified pitch with a mineral acid to convert the organic acids in salt form into free organic acids and to form an organic phase and an aqueous phase, c) separating the aqueous phase from the organic phase, d) evaporation fractionating the organic phase to obtain a distillate rich in sterols, fatty acids and resin acids, d) evaporation fractionating the organic phase to obtain a distillate rich in sterols, fatty acids and resin acids, e) evaporation fractionating the distillate to obtain a bottom fraction rich in sterols, and a distillate rich in fatty acids and resin acids, and f) subjecting the sterols in the sterol-rich bottom fraction to crystallisation purification.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: RAVINTORAISIO OYInventor: Antti HAMUNEN
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Patent number: 8524928Abstract: The invention relates to an effective process for producing plant stanol by hydrogenating plant sterol in an organic solvent at a hydrogen pressure of 1-200 bar in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2009Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Raisio Nutrition Ltd.Inventors: Jari Ekblom, Antti Hamunen, Rami Hartonen, Marko Hirvijärvi, Juha Holma, Juha Orte
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Patent number: 8450453Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering fatty acids, resin acids and sterols from tall oil pitch, said process comprising a) saponifying the tall oil pitch with an alkali to hydrolyse esters included in the pitch to free alcohols and organic acids in salt form, b) acidulating the saponified pitch with a mineral acid to convert the organic acids in salt form into free organic acids and to form an organic phase and an aqueous phase, c) separating the aqueous phase from the organic phase, d) evaporation fractionating the organic phase to obtain a distillate rich in sterols, fatty acids and resin acids, e) evaporation fractionating the distillate to obtain a bottom fraction rich in sterols, and a distillate rich in fatty acids and resin acids, and f) subjecting the sterols in the sterol-rich bottom fraction to crystallization purification.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Ravintoraisio OYInventor: Antti Hamunen
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Publication number: 20110184197Abstract: The invention relates to an effective process for producing plant stanol by hydrogenating plant sterol in an organic solvent at a hydrogen pressure of 1-200 bar in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2009Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: RAISIO NUTRITION LTD.Inventors: Jari Ekblom, Antti Hamunen, Rami Hartonen, Marko Hirvijärvi, Juha Holma, Juha Orte
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Publication number: 20110034725Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering sterols and fatty and/or resin acids from tall oil pitch, comprising the steps of: a) saponifying tall oil pitch to provide saponified tall oil pitch, b) drying the saponified pitch to obtain dried saponified pitch, c) subjecting the dried saponified pitch to a first high vacuum evaporation to obtain an unsaponifiable fraction as a distillate and a first residue, d) optionally subjecting said distillate to a second high vacuum evaporation to obtain an enriched unsaponifiable fraction, e) crystallizing sterols from the unsaponifiable fraction or the enriched unsaponifiable fraction, f) acidulating the first residue obtained in step c) to obtain an aqueous phase and an organic phase, separating the aqueous phase and drying the organic phase to obtain a dried organic phase, and g) subjecting the dried organic phase to vacuum distillation to obtain fatty and/or resin acids and a second residue, said process additionally comprising providing pitch-based heavy compType: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: Raisio Nutrition Ltd.Inventors: Antti Hamunen, Juha Orte, Reino Kalmari, Kosti Mokkila, Marianne Kallio-Meriluoto
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Patent number: 7371876Abstract: The present invention describes a method for separating sterols from neutral substances comprising the sterols. The method generally starts with extracting a hydrocarbon fraction from neutral substances. The hydrocarbon fraction may be optionally washed with water. The neutral substances are separated from the hydrocarbon. The hydrocarbon fraction or the neutral substances are subjected to evaporation fractionating to obtain a sterol-rich fraction. The sterol-rich fraction is dissolved in a solvent, and the sterols are crystallized from the solvent. The obtained sterol crystals are separated from the solvent.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2004Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Sterol Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Antti Hamunen, Keijo Ukkonen
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Patent number: 7202372Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering sterols and/or wax alcohols from a crude tall oil based source material comprising sterols and/or wax alcohols in esterified form and fatty and/or rosin acids and optionally sterols and/or wax alcohols in free form, said method comprising the steps of: a) converting free acids in the source material to corresponding salts, b) removing water if present, c) transesterifying the esterified sterols and/or wax alcohols present in the dry material obtained in step a or step b to liberate sterols and/or wax alcohols, d) evaporative fractionating the transesterified material, and e) isolating sterols and/or wax alcohols from the obtained fraction(s) and/or the residue.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2002Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Sterol Technologies, Ltd.Inventor: Antti Hamunen
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Publication number: 20050033068Abstract: The present invention describes a method for separating sterols from neutral substances comprising the sterols. The method generally starts with extracting a hydrocarbon fraction from neutral substances. The hydrocarbon fraction may be optionally washed with water. The neutral substances are separated from the hydrocarbon. The hydrocarbon fraction or the neutral substances are subjected to evaporation fractionating to obtain a sterol-rich fraction. The sterol-rich fraction is dissolved in a solvent, and the sterols are crystallized from the solvent. The obtained sterol crystals are separated from the solvent.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2004Publication date: February 10, 2005Inventors: Antti Hamunen, Keijo Ukkonen
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Publication number: 20050010061Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering sterols and/or wax alcohols from a crude tall oil based source material comprising sterols and/or wax alcohols in esterified form and fatty and/or rosin acids and optionally sterols and/or wax alcohols in free form, said method comprising the steps of: a) converting free acids in the source material to corresponding salts, b) removing water if present, c) transesterifying the esterified sterols and/or wax alcohols present in the dry material obtained in step a or step b to liberate sterols and/or wax alcohols, d) evaporative fractionating the transesterified material, and e) isolating sterols and/or wax alcohols from the obtained fraction(s) and/or the residue.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2002Publication date: January 13, 2005Inventor: Antti Hamunen
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Patent number: 6780831Abstract: A process for obtaining a product rich in unsaponifiable valuable substances from at least one of crude sulphate soap, crude tall oil or tall oil pitch is disclosed. The process comprises (1) providing a feed of at least one of crude sulphate soap, saponified crude tall oil or saponified tall oil pitch, (2) drying the feed, and (3) subjecting the dried feed to high vacuum evaporation to obtain a product rich in unsaponifiable valuable substances, wherein a softener has been incorporated into the dried feed before step (3) to produce a mixed feed. The softener is characterized by the following properties: 1) the mixed feed's viscosity is lower than the feed's viscosity, 2) the softener's vapor pressure is lower than the unsaponifiables of the feed's vapor pressure, 3) the softener's molecular weight is at least 750, and, optionally, 4) the softener is heat resistant.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2002Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Raisio Benecol, Ltd.Inventor: Antti Hamunen
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Patent number: 6770767Abstract: A method for separating neutral substances from a soap containing the neutral substances, the method including the steps of: providing a mixture containing (1) the soap containing the neutral substances, (2) water optionally containing sodium sulfate and (3) a C1-C10 hydrocarbon solvent, and heating the mixture to a temperature of at least 140° C., to obtain a soap phase and a hydrocarbon phase containing the neutral substances, the heating step being conducted in a closed system under pressure, wherein the pressure in the system is at least equal to the vapor pressure of the mixture at the temperature used in the heating step; separating the hydrocarbon phase from the soap phase; and optionally separating the neutral substances from the hydrocarbon phase.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2001Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Sterol Techologies Ltd.Inventor: Antti Hamunen
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Publication number: 20020107168Abstract: A process for obtaining a product rich in unsaponifiable valuable substances from at least one of crude sulphate soap, crude tall oil or tall oil pitch is disclosed. The process comprises (1) providing a feed of at least one of crude sulphate soap, saponified crude tall oil or saponified tall oil pitch, (2) drying the feed, and (3) subjecting the dried feed to high vacuum evaporation to obtain a product rich in unsaponifiable valuable substances, wherein a softener has been incorporated into the dried feed before step (3) to produce a mixed feed. The softener is characterized by the following properties: 1) the mixed feed's viscosity is lower than the feed's viscosity, 2) the softener's vapor pressure is lower than the unsaponifiables of the feed's vapor pressure, 3) the softener's molecular weight is at least 750, and, optionally, 4) the softener is heat resistant.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2002Publication date: August 8, 2002Inventor: Antti Hamunen
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Patent number: 5897744Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of manufacturing a paper product containing anionic laminating, coating or sizing agents, said paper product being free from carry-over speck defects in recycle use. The method is characterized in that a cationic compound is added to the paper web after the formation of the web.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1996Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: Raisio Chemicals OyInventors: Antti Hamunen, Kari Nurmi, Jens- Mikael Gottberg
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Patent number: 5677374Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer dispersion, by means of which the rheological properties and structure of various liquid and flowing mixtures may be adjusted. The dispersion is prepared by radical polymerizing, into a water soluble chain backbone polymer or into such a polymer brought water soluble, in a water solution at least one .alpha.-, .beta.-unsaturated carboxyl acid containing 3-8 carbons as well as at least one to a limited amount unsaturated monomer. The chain backbone polymer is preferably a starch derivative.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1996Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: Raisio Chemicals OyInventors: Antti Hamunen, Mika Anttila, Kari Nurmi
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Patent number: 4422974Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of .beta.-sitosterol having a low content of .alpha.-sitosterol of a sterol mixture isolated from the unsaponifiables obtained from crude soap from the sulphate cellulose process. The invention is based on crystallization of the sterol mixture from a mixture of an organic solvent and water, preferably 1,2-dichloroethylene or methyl ethyl ketone and water. By means of the process according to the invention, from starting materials containing 20 to 25% .alpha.-sitosterol is obtained a product which contains less than 5% .alpha.-sitosterol and which, when required, can be retreated by means of the process according to the invention to obtain .beta.-sitosterol containing less than 1% .alpha.-sitosterol. When using methyl ethyl ketone as organic solvent, .beta.-sitosterol is also purified of any betulin contained in the starting material.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1982Date of Patent: December 27, 1983Assignee: OY Kaukas ABInventor: Antti Hamunen
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Patent number: 4420427Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the isolation of sterols or sterol mixtures from unsaponifiable fractions of extractants of vegetable origin, especially from the neutral substance of crude soap from the sulphate cellulose process. According to the process, the neutral substance and a small amount of a suitable solvent which, depending on the desired composition of the product, preferably is methanol or a mixture of methyl ethyl ketone, are mixed, when required, while heating, the cooled mixture is filtered and the sterol precipitate obtained is washed with a suitable wash solvent, preferably acetone or a mixture of acetone and methanol. The sterol mixture prepared according to the invention and obtained when starting out from the unsaponifiables of crude soap obtained from raw wood comprising birch and using methanol as solvent contains about 5% campesterol, 65 to 80% .beta.-sitosterol and 15 to 25% .alpha.-sitosterol.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1982Date of Patent: December 13, 1983Assignee: OY Kaukus ABInventor: Antti Hamunen