Patents by Inventor Heidi Saxell

Heidi Saxell 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20210277265
    Abstract: A method for 3D printing is provided, using crosslinkable microfibrillated cellulose (MFC). The 3D printed structure is treated to provide crosslinking of the MFC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Gisela Cunha, Heidi Saxell, Robin Grankvist
  • Patent number: 10900169
    Abstract: A method for the production of highly refined or microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), comprising the steps of treating cellulosic fibres to remove at least a major part of the primary wall of the fibres, drying the treated fibres, rewetting the treated fibres, and disintegrating the wetted fibres by mechanical means to obtain the final product. Dried cellulosic pulp is produced as an intermediate product of the method, having an average fibre length of at least 0.4 mm, while less than 50% of the primary wall material of natural untreated fibres is left in the intermediate product. Instead of transporting large amounts of dilute MFC dispersion the invention enables transport of the dry intermediate product to the MFC end user, who would complete the process by turning the intermediate product to final MFC by use of standard disintegrating devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: STORA ENSO OYJ
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Cecilia Land Hensdal, Lars Axrup, Heidi Saxell
  • Publication number: 20210017671
    Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a fibrous material (preferably a mat or filaments) of crosslinked microfibrillated cellulose. Phosphorylated microfibrillated cellulose is spun into a fibrous material; and then said fibrous material is post-treated (e.g. by heat-treatment) to provide crosslinking between the phosphorylated microfibrillated cellulose. Fibrous materials such as filaments or mats, and hygiene products comprising such materials are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Gisela Cunha, Heidi Saxell
  • Publication number: 20200339783
    Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a fibrous material of crosslinked microfibrillated cellulose. Dialdehyde microfibrillated cellulose is spun into a fibrous material; said fibrous material is pre- or post-treated (by reduction of pH) to provide crosslinking between the dialdehyde microfibrillated cellulose. Fibrous materials such as filaments or mats, and polymer composites comprising such materials are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Gisela Cunha, Heidi Saxell
  • Publication number: 20200340183
    Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a film of crosslinked microfibrillated cellulose. Phosphorylated microfibrillated cellulose is cast or wet-laid into a film; and then said film is post-treated (e.g. by heat-treatment) to provide crosslinking between the phosphorylated microfibrillated cellulose. Films and hygiene products comprising such films are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Gisela Cunha, Heidi Saxell
  • Publication number: 20190292727
    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: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Isto Heiskanen, Esa Saukkonen, Katja Lyytikäinen, Heidi Saxell
  • Patent number: 10240288
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of producing microfibrillated cellulose (MFC). According to the invention a fibrous pulp suspension is fibrillated mechanically at a consistency of less than 12.5%, dewatered to raise the consistency of the fibrillated suspension to at least 12.5%, and then subjected in the dewatered condition to further fibrillation. Alternatively an initially fibrillated fibrous pulp suspension may be dewatered and fibrillated in the dewatered condition, after which these dewatering and fibrillating steps are repeated one or more times so that pulp consistency is increased for each fibrillation step. The goals of raising the consistency between subsequent fibrillations are energy saving and an increased aspect ratio in MFC. The invention even comprises uses of the MFC product, e.g. as an additive for papermaking furnish or injection molded plastic composites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Henri Kastinen, Anna Kauppi, Jukka Kankkunen, Lars Axrup, Cecilia Land Hensdal, Heidi Saxell, Kaj Backfolk
  • Patent number: 9926668
    Abstract: A substantially dry composite material comprising a nanofibrillated polysaccharide and two or more additives, wherein the composite nanofibrillated polysaccharide is a microfibrillated cellulose and wherein the additives are lime milk and carbon dioxide, wherein the additives are allowed to react with each other and forming a precipitated calcium carbonate on the nanofibrillated polysaccharide, thereby forming a composite product comprising precipitated calcium carbonate and nanofibrillated polysaccharide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Lars Axrup, Heidi Saxell, Veikko Jokela, Henri Kastinen, Anna Kauppi, Kaj Backfolk, Nina Ruohoniemi, Risto Laitinen, Isto Heiskanen, Teija Laukala
  • Publication number: 20170145119
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing cellulose carbamate which method comprises the following steps: providing a never-dried pulp, adding urea and mixing said pulp with said urea, mechanically treating said mixture, drying the mixture, and heating the relatively dry mixture thus providing a cellulose carbamate. The present invention also relates to a cellulose carbamate obtainable by said method, use of said cellulose carbamate and a dope comprising said cellulose carbamate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Heidi Saxell, Paula Rantamäki, Kalle Ekman
  • Publication number: 20170107669
    Abstract: A substantially dry composite material comprising a nanofibrillated polysaccharide and two or more additives, wherein the composite nanofibrillated polysaccharide is a microfibrillated cellulose and wherein the additives are lime milk and carbon dioxide, wherein the additives are allowed to react with each other and forming a precipitated calcium carbonate on the nanofibrillated polysaccharide, thereby forming a composite product comprising precipitated calcium carbonate and nanofibrillated polysaccharide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Lars Axrup, Heidi Saxell, Veikko Jokela, Henri Kastinen, Anna Kauppi, Kaj Backfolk, Nina Ruohoniemi, Risto Laitinen, Isto Heiskanen, Teija Laukala
  • Patent number: 9562328
    Abstract: A method for the production of a composite material comprising nanofibrillated polysaccharide, the method comprising the following steps: (i) providing a liquid suspension of the nanofibrillated polysaccharide; (ii) bringing said liquid suspension in contact with at least one additive, thereby forming a composite material suspension, wherein the composite comprises the nanofibrillated polysaccharide and the at least one additive, (iii) increasing the solid contents of said composite material suspension, thereby forming a high solid contents composite material suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Lars Axrup, Heidi Saxell, Veikko Jokela, Henri Kastinen, Anna Kauppi, Kaj Backfolk, Nina Ruohoniemi, Risto Laitinen, Isto Heiskanen, Teija Laukala
  • Publication number: 20160153144
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing oxidized or microfibrillated cellulose (MFC). According to the invention there is provided an aqueous pulp suspension with a consistency of at least 15%, and at least one oxidant is added to the suspension to oxidize cellulosic hydroxyl groups in the suspension under mechanical mixing or shearing. The oxidized suspension, washed and diluted to a lower consistency, is subjected to homogenization to yield gel-like MFC. Alkali hypochlorite may be used as oxidant, and preferred mediating oxidation catalysts are AZADO and TEMPO. Alkali bromide may be used as a cocatalyst. The MFC product, which as a suspension has an increased viscosity, is suitable as a means of regulating viscosity or for production of films and composites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: STORA ENSO OYJ
    Inventors: Jaakko Hiltunen, Isto Heiskanen, Heidi Saxell, Jukka Kahelin, Erkki Saharinen
  • Publication number: 20160060815
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for treating cellulose fibres which process comprises the steps of providing a slurry comprising cellulose fibers, adding anionic polyacrylamide (A-PAM) with high molar mass to the slurry in a first step and subjecting the slurry comprising fibers and A-PAM to a mechanical treatment in a second step thereby forming a composition comprising microfibrillated cellulose. The invention further relates to a composition produced according to the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Esa Saukkonen, Kaj Backfolk, Anna Kauppi, Heidi Saxell, Katja Lyytikainen
  • Publication number: 20150337493
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of producing microfibrillated cellulose (MFC). According to the invention a fibrous pulp suspension is fibrillated mechanically at a consistency of less than 12.5%, dewatered to raise the consistency of the fibrillated suspension to at least 12.5%, and then subjected in the dewatered condition to further fibrillation. Alternatively an initially fibrillated fibrous pulp suspension may be dewatered and fibrillated in the dewatered condition, after which these dewatering and fibrillating steps are repeated one or more times so that pulp consistency is increased for each fibrillation step. The goals of raising the consistency between subsequent fibrillations are energy saving and an increased aspect ratio in MFC. The invention even comprises uses of the MFC product, e.g. as an additive for papermaking furnish or injection molded plastic composites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Isto HEISKANEN, Henri KASTINEN, Anna KAUPPI, Jukka KANKKUNEN, Lars AXRUP, Cecilia LAND HENSDAL, Heidi SAXELL, Kaj BACKFOLK
  • Publication number: 20150308017
    Abstract: A method for drying nanofibrillated polysaccharide to obtain a substantially dry nanofibrillated polysaccharide product, comprising the following steps: (i) providing an aqueous suspension of nanofibrillated polysaccharide; (ii) increasing the solid content of said suspension, thereby forming a high solid content microfibrillated cellulose suspension; and (iii) drying said high solid content microfibrillated cellulose suspension, through a simultaneous heating and mixing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Heidi Saxell, Isto Heiskanen, Lars Axrup, Cecilia Land Hensdal, Veikko Jokela, Esa Saukkonen, Ari Kotilainen, Henri Kastinen, Anna Kauppi
  • Publication number: 20150299959
    Abstract: A method for the production of a composite material comprising nanofibrillated polysaccharide, the method comprising the following steps: (i) providing a liquid suspension of the nanofibrillated polysaccharide; (ii) bringing said liquid suspension in contact with at least one additive, thereby forming a composite material suspension, wherein the composite comprises the nanofibrillated polysaccharide and the at least one additive, (iii) increasing the solid contents of said composite material suspension, thereby forming a high solid contents composite material suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Lars Axrup, Heidi Saxell, Veikko Jokela, Henri Kastinen, Anna Kauppi, Kaj Backfolk, Nina Ruohoniemi, Risto Laitinen, Isto Heiskanen, Teija Laukala
  • Publication number: 20150218757
    Abstract: A method for the production of highly refined or microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), comprising the steps of treating cellulosic fibres to remove at least a major part of the primary wall of the fibres, drying the treated fibres, rewetting the treated fibres, and disintegrating the wetted fibres by mechanical means to obtain the final product. Dried cellulosic pulp is produced as an intermediate product of the method, having an average fibre length of at least 0.4 mm, while less than 50% of the primary wall material of natural untreated fibres is left in the intermediate product. Instead of transporting large amounts of dilute MFC dispersion the invention enables transport of the dry intermediate product to the MFC end user, who would complete the process by turning the intermediate product to final MFC by use of standard disintegrating devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Cecelia Land Hensdal, Lars Axrup, Heidi Saxell
  • Publication number: 20150094464
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for production of cellulose ethers in a high solids process substantially without use of organic solvents as reaction and/or washing medium. In the method of the invention the first alkalization step is carried out by using high solids content cellulose pulp and solid sodium hydroxide. This is followed by an etherification step where the solids content is preferably further increased and the use of solid etherification reactant is preferred. As no organic solvents are used as reaction media the invented method enables production of cellulose ethers directly from never dried pulp with significant savings in energy and investment costs. The method is especially suitable for the production of carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt (CMC) with low degree of substitution (DS<0.3). The use of the resulting none or low water soluble carboxymethylated cellulosic fibres is suitable for example for producing microfibrillated cellulose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Heidi Saxell, Isto Heiskanen, Lars Axrup, Cecilia Land Hensdal, Veikko Jokela