Patents by Inventor Hannu Minkkinen

Hannu Minkkinen 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).

  • Publication number: 20230257542
    Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an extrusion foaming method for producing low-density extrusion foam from a thermoplastic cellulose-based starting material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Pia Willberg-Keyriläinen, Jarmo Ropponen, Tero Malm, Teijo Rokkonen, Hannu Minkkinen, Ali Harlin
  • Patent number: 11548198
    Abstract: A single-screw extruder (100), and a method. The extruder (100) comprises—a cylindrical rotor member (1) having diameter (D) and length (L) and comprising a feeding zone (14), —the rotor member (1) arranged in a barrel (2), —the cylindrical surface of the rotor member (1) carrying cavity/cavities and/or projection(s) (5) arranged in helically extending rows, —the helically extending row(s) of the rotor member (1) having a pitch (P) and depth (d) in the feeding zone (14) of the rotor member, and the extruder (100) further compris-ing—a drive system (4) for the rotation of the rotor member (1) in the barrel (2). The relation of the depth (d) to the diame-ter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. d:D, is not more than 1:20, and the relation of the pitch (P) of the rotor member to the di-ameter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. P:D, is not more than 1:4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
    Inventors: Hannu Minkkinen, Antti Ojala, Kirsi Immonen
  • Publication number: 20220363847
    Abstract: The invention concerns a film based on a binary polymer composition having at least a first polymer and a second polymer. The film is oriented by extruding and stretching the film in at least the machine direction. The glass-transition temperature (Tg) of the first polymer is greater than the orientation temperature and the glass-transition temperature (Tg) of the second polymer is lower than the orientation temperature. Furthermore, a method and use related thereto are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: WOODLY OY
    Inventors: Martta ASIKAINEN, Upi ANTTILA, Jaakko KAMINEN, Tommi VUORINEN, Hannu MINKKINEN, Tero MALM, Teijo ROKKONEN, Timo FLYKTMAN
  • Publication number: 20220097014
    Abstract: A single-screw extruder and method are disclosed wherein the extruder includes a cylindrical rotor member arranged in a barre, and a drive system for rotation of the rotor member in the barrel. The extruder includes an outlet-provided with a die, having an outer ring arranged to the barrel, and an inner die part, the die establishing a flow channel that is continuously circular in all its cross-sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
    Inventors: Hannu MINKKINEN, Juha MANNILA
  • Publication number: 20200398475
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermolysing organic material. The method comprises steps of: A) feeding the material in a single-screw extruder (100), the extruder comprising —a cylindrical rotor member (1) having diameter (D) and length (L) and comprising a feeding zone (14), —the rotor member (1) arranged in a barrel (2), —the cylindrical surface of the rotor member (1) carrying cavity/cavities and/or projection(s) (5) arranged in helically extending rows, —the helically extending row(s) of the rotor member (1) having a pitch (P) and depth (d) in the feeding zone (14) of the rotor member, wherein —the relation of the depth (d) to the diameter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. d:D, is not more than 1:20, and —the relation of the pitch (P) of the rotor member to the diameter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. P:D, is not more than 1:4, B) heating the material in the single-screw extruder (100) to a flowable state, and C) thermolysing the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Anja OASMAA, Hannu MINKKINEN, Christian LINDFORS, Jani LEHTO, Juha MANNILA
  • Patent number: 10449694
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for producing a thermoformable porous web using a mixture of cellulosic fibers and one or more thermoplastic materials, particularly by foam forming said mixture into a composite foam, and applying the foam into one or more layers on a support to obtain a porous pre-form web. The thus produced porous composite web can be further processed by compression molding to give a rigid high-strength composite structure, which is suitable for use in producing, e.g. panels or plates, packages or hygiene products, insulators or filters, or printed intelligence, electronics or microcellulose products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventors: Antti Ojala, Kalle Nättinen, Lisa Wikström, Hannu Minkkinen, Petri Jetsu, Jani Lehmonen, Karita Kinnunen, Tuomo Hjelt
  • Publication number: 20190184621
    Abstract: A single-screw extruder (100), and a method. The extruder (100) comprises—a cylindrical rotor member (1) having diameter (D) and length (L) and comprising a feeding zone (14), —the rotor member (1) arranged in a barrel (2), —the cylindrical surface of the rotor member (1) carrying cavity/cavities and/or projection(s) (5) arranged in helically extending rows, —the helically extending row(s) of the rotor member (1) having a pitch (P) and depth (d) in the feeding zone (14) of the rotor member, and the extruder (100) further comprising a drive system (4) for the rotation of the rotor member (1) in the barrel (2). The relation of the depth (d) to the diameter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. d:D, is not more than 1:20, and the relation of the pitch (P) of the rotor member to the diameter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. P:D, is not more than 1:4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Hannu MINKKINEN, Antti OJALA, Kirsi IMMONEN
  • Publication number: 20160229088
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for producing a thermoformable porous web using a mixture of cellulosic fibres and one or more thermoplastic materials, particularly by foam forming said mixture into a composite foam, and applying the foam into one or more layers on a support to obtain a porous pre-form web. The thus produced porous composite web can be further processed by compression moulding to give a rigid high-strength composite structure, which is suitable for use in producing, e.g. panels or plates, packages or hygiene products, insulators or filters, or printed intelligence, electronics or microcellulose products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Antti Ojala, Kalle Nättinen, Lisa Wikström, Hannu Minkkinen, Petri Jetsu, Jani Lehmonen, Karita Kinnunnen, Tuomo Hjelt
  • Patent number: 7148281
    Abstract: A method of preparing an electrically conductive polymer blend, and an electrically conductive polymer blend includes steps of selecting at least two polymeric materials that are substantially immiscible together, mixing the polymeric materials into a blend so that at least one of the polymeric materials forms a continuous three-dimensional phase through the entire blend, and mixing an electrically conductive filler into the blend. The difference in surface tension between the polymeric material forming the continuous three-dimensional phase and the other polymeric materials forming the blend is at least 2 mN/m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Premix Oy
    Inventors: Taisto Vilkman, Jenni Mustonen, Hannu Minkkinen, Mikko Karttunen
  • Publication number: 20050261411
    Abstract: A method of preparing an electrically conductive polymer blend, and an electrically conductive polymer blend includes steps of selecting at least two polymeric materials that are substantially immiscible together, mixing the polymeric materials into a blend so that at least one of the polymeric materials forms a continuous three-dimensional phase through the entire blend, and mixing an electrically conductive filler into the blend. The difference in surface tension between the polymeric material forming the continuous three-dimensional phase and the other polymeric materials forming the blend is at least 2 mN/m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: Taisto Vilkman, Jenni Mustonen, Hannu Minkkinen, Mikko Karttunen
  • Patent number: 5955014
    Abstract: A process for fabricating a foamed plastic product. The process includes a plastic film that is prefoamed in order to introduce lamellar discontinuities such as prefoamed bubbles. The film is pressurized by a gas under a positive pressure causing the gas to diffuse into the film, forming a second film. Further, the second film is inflated in order to form the foamed plastic product. The second film is inflated by heating the second film at a temperature below the melting point of the second film and under a reduced pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: VTT Technology OY
    Inventors: Jaako Raukola, Kari Kirjavainen, Hannu Minkkinen