Patents by Inventor Esa Saukkonen

Esa Saukkonen 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: 11834793
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a film comprising high amounts of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), having haptic properties. According to the present invention, a wet web comprising MFC is formed, followed by addition of particles having an average diameter of at least 1 ?m to the wet web, followed by dewatering and/or drying. The wet web may be formed for example by wet laid or cast forming methods. The particles may be added to the wet web for example by cast coating or spraying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Isto Heiskanen, Esa Saukkonen, Jukka Kankkunen, Anna Nyberg Zetterlund, Jan Lif
  • Patent number: 11795280
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a film comprising microfibrillated cellulose wherein the method comprises the steps of; providing a suspension comprising a microfibrillated cellulose, adding an enzyme to the suspension, mixing the enzyme with the suspension to form a mixture, applying said mixture to a wire to form a fibrous web and drying said web to form said film. The present invention further relates to a film comprising microfibrillated cellulose having good barrier properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Esa Saukkonen, Isto Heiskanen, Kaj Backfolk, Katja Lyytikäinen
  • Patent number: 11598050
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process for providing a coating layer on a moulded article comprising fibers. In the present invention, a coating dispersion is prepared that comprises microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), a slip aid and at least one hydrocolloid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Isto Heiskanen, Esa Saukkonen
  • Patent number: 11578463
    Abstract: A method of dosing a nanocellulose suspension in gel phase into a second suspension, wherein the method comprises the steps of: providing said nanocellulose suspension in gel phase; providing said second suspension; bringing said nanocellulose suspension in gel phase in contact with said second suspension; wherein the method comprises a step of subjecting said nanocellulose suspension in gel phase to a shear rate of more than 500 l/s, simultaneously with and/or immediately prior to the step of bringing said nanocellulose suspension in gel phase and said second suspension in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: Stora Enso Oyj, Wetend Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Esa Saukkonen, Isto Heiskanen, Kaj Backfolk, Jouni Matula, Jussi Matula
  • Patent number: 11555275
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a film having an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) value in the range of 0.1 to 200 cc/m2*24 h at 23° C., 50% relative humidity (RH), and an OTR value in the range of 0.1 to 2000 cc/m2*24 h at 38° C. at 85% RH, comprising at least 60% by weight nanocellulose based on the weight of the total amount of fibers in the film, wherein the method comprises the steps of, providing an aqueous suspension comprising said nanocellulose; forming a web from said aqueous suspension; calendering said web at a line load of at least 40 kN/m, and at a temperature of at least 60° C. wherein said film is formed and said web has an OTR value in the range of 50 to 10 000 cc/m2*24 h at 23° C., 50% RH before said calendering step, or more preferably in the range of 500 to 5000 cc/m2*24 h at 23° C., 50% RH before said calendering step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Esa Saukkonen, Isto Heiskanen, Katja Lyytikäinen, Kaj Backfolk
  • Patent number: 11518858
    Abstract: A method of forming a film comprising nanocellulose having an Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) value in the range of 0.1 to 300 cc/m2/24 h at 38° C. and 85% relative humidity (RH), and having a basis weight in the range of in the range of 0.1 to 45 g/m2 wherein the method comprises the steps of; providing a suspension comprising nanocellulose, forming at least one layer of a web or a film from said suspension; drying said formed web or film to a dry content of at least 65 weight-%, wherein said method further comprises the steps of; treating at least one side of said dewatered and dried web or film with ultra violet (UV) or electron beam (EB) irradiation; and wherein at least one cooling step is provided in connection with or after the UV or EB treatment step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Esa Saukkonen, Isto Heiskanen, Kaj Backfolk, Ville Ribu
  • Patent number: 11504956
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of a coated paper, paperboard or film, wherein the method comprises the steps of; providing a first suspension comprising cellulose fibers, applying the first suspension on a substrate to form a fibrous web, wherein the web has a first and a second side, providing a second suspension comprising micro fibrillated cellulose, applying the second suspension either to the first side of the fibrous web or to a surface of a drying equipment and conducting said fibrous web through the drying equipment whereby the second suspension is added to the first side of the web forming the coated paper, paperboard or film. The invention also relates to a paper, paperboard or film produced according to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Esa Saukkonen
  • Patent number: 11479915
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an intermediate product that can be stored and transported and efficiently converted into microfibrillated cellulose with limited energy input at the time of conversion. More specifically, the invention involves the use of dewatered carboxymethylcellulose or carboxylated cellulose fiber having a low degree of substitution and a high amount of additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Isto Heiskanen, Esa Saukkonen, Katja Lyytikäinen, Heidi Saxell
  • Patent number: 11459432
    Abstract: Method for making a film that comprises microfibrillated cellulose, wherein the film has low OTR values and especially suitable for a tropical environment. The method comprising the steps of providing a suspension comprising microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), forming a film from said suspension, wherein the film having a solid content above 40%, preferably above 50%, treating the film with flame or plasma treatment, such that a surface activation takes place on the film, and cooling the film, wherein the surface of the film having a decreased OTR value and a high moisture resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Kaj Backfolk, Esa Saukkonen, Ville Ribu, Katja Lyytikäinen
  • Patent number: 11459159
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a material suitable for use in packages comprising nano-sized cellulose and an ethylene scavenging or ethylene absorbing agent. The invention also relates to methods for manufacturing such material, which may be paper, label, paperboard, plastic or film products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Isto Heiskanen, Esa Saukkonen, Seppo Lampainen, Simo Siitonen, Marianne Andersson
  • Patent number: 11458714
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a packaging material free from aluminium in the form of a continuous foil or film, comprising a layer of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), wherein the layer comprising MFC has been laminated or coated on at least one side with a heat-sealable material. The MFC layer contains at least 60% by weight of microfibrillated cellulose. The present invention is also directed to a method for induction sealing, wherein a packaging material to be heat-sealed by induction is placed against an induction heating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Isto Heiskanen, Esa Saukkonen, Jukka Kankkunen
  • Publication number: 20220228319
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for production of product comprising a first ply, the method comprising the steps of: providing a fibrous suspension comprising fibers; providing said fibrous suspension to a porous medium to form a substrate comprising fibers; providing a first additive suspension comprising a first strengthening agent, wherein the first strengthening agent is microfibrillated cellulose; providing a second additive suspension comprising at least one retention agent and/or at least one drainage agent; dewatering said substrate on said porous medium; performing additive addition to said substrate during said dewatering of said substrate on said porous medium, wherein the additive addition is performed when the substrate has a dry content of less than 20 weight-%, preferably less than 10 weight-%, most preferably less than 7 weight-%, and wherein the additive addition comprises adding at least a layer of said first additive suspension and a layer of said second additive suspension to sa
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Isto Heiskanen, Esa Saukkonen
  • Patent number: 11346057
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate having oxygen barrier properties, which laminate comprises; a porous fiber based layer comprising nanocellulose and cellulosic fibers wherein said fiber based layer has an air resistance of less than 4000 s/100 ml measured according to ISO5636/6 and a polymer layer attached to at least one side of said fiber based layer to form said laminate. The present invention further relates to a method to produce said laminate and a paper or paperboard product comprising the laminate and the use of the laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Esa Saukkonen, Isto Heiskanen, Ville Ribu
  • Patent number: 11326306
    Abstract: A method for the production of a fibrous product from a fibrous web, wherein the method comprises the steps of: —providing a fibrous suspension comprising a microfibrillated cellulose, wherein the content of the microfibrillated cellulose of said suspension is in the range of 60 to 99.9 weight-% based on total dry solid content, —adding an uncharged, amphoteric or weakly cationic polymer having a molecular weight of at least 50000 g/mol to said suspension, —adding an anionic polymer having a molecular weight of at least 00000 g/mol to said suspension to provide a mixture of said microfibrillated cellulose, said uncharged, amphoteric or weakly cationic polymer and said anionic polymer, 1—providing said mixture to a substrate to form a fibrous web, wherein the amount of uncharged, amphoteric or weakly cationic polymer in said mixture is in the range of 0.1 to 20 kg/metric ton based on total dry solid content and wherein the amount of anionic polymer in said mixture is in the range of 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Isto Heiskanen, Esa Saukkonen, Katja Lyytikäinen
  • Patent number: 11319672
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for production of product comprising a first ply, the method comprising the steps of: providing a fibrous suspension comprising fibers; providing said fibrous suspension to a porous medium to form a substrate comprising fibers; providing a first additive suspension comprising a first strengthening agent, wherein the first strengthening agent is microfibrillated cellulose; providing a second additive suspension comprising at least one retention agent and/or at least one drainage agent; dewatering said substrate on said porous medium; performing additive addition to said substrate during said dewatering of said substrate on said porous medium, wherein the additive addition is performed when the substrate has a dry content of less than 20 weight-%, preferably less than 10 weight-%, most preferably less than 7 weight-%, and wherein the additive addition comprises adding at least a layer of said first additive suspension and a layer of said second additive suspension to sa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Isto Heiskanen, Esa Saukkonen
  • Patent number: 11319671
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process for improving dewatering when manufacturing a film comprising high amounts of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) without negatively impacting the film properties. According to the present invention a high amount of nanoparticles is used as an additive, optionally together with a polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Isto Heiskanen, Esa Saukkonen, Katja Lyytikäinen
  • Publication number: 20220064390
    Abstract: A film comprising microfibrillated cellulose, nanoparticles, and a retention polymer. The nanoparticles are nanosilica nanoparticles that are anionic at neutral or alkaline pH and have at least one dimension less than 100 nm; and the retention polymer is starch. According to the present invention a high amount of nanoparticles is used as an additive, optionally together with a retention polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Isto Heiskanen, Esa Saukkonen
  • Patent number: 11242652
    Abstract: A sheet having dead-fold properties, wherein said sheet comprises cellulose fibers whereof at least 75%, preferably at least 90%, or more preferably at least 95% of said cellulose fibers have a fiber length of less than 1 mm, and wherein the tensile strength ratio (MD/CD) of the film is above 1.4, preferably higher than 1.6 and most preferably higher than 1.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: STORA ENSO OYJ
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Esa Saukkonen
  • Patent number: 11198973
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process wherein microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) is mixed with at least two retention aids, selected from a cationic or amphoteric polymer and a microparticle or nanoparticle as a pre-mix before dosing it to the stock in a process for manufacture of a fiber based product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Isto Heiskanen, Esa Saukkonen
  • Patent number: 11192987
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process for improving runnability and dimensional stability when manufacturing a film comprising high amounts of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) without negatively impacting the film properties. According to the present invention a high amount of nanoparticles is used as an additive, optionally together with a retention polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Isto Heiskanen, Esa Saukkonen