Patents by Inventor Heikki Heikkilä
Heikki Heikkilä 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: 6872316Abstract: The invention relates to a process of producing a xylose solution from a biomass hydrolysate by subjecting the biomass hydrolysate to nanofiltration and recovering as the nanofiltration permeate a solution enriched in xylose. The biomass hydrolysate used as starting material is typically a spent liquor obtained from a pulping process.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2001Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Danisco Sweeteners OyInventors: Heikki Heikkilä , Mika Mänttäri, Mirja Lindroos, Marianne Nyström
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Patent number: 6846657Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the simultaneous production of xylitol and ethanol from a hydrolyzed lignocellulose-containing material starting. The starting material is fermented with a yeast strain, the ethanol produced is recovered, a chromatographic separation is carried out on the remaining xylitol solution, and pure xylitol is crystallized.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1997Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Xyrofin OyInventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Göran Hyöky, Leena Rahkila, Marja Leena Sarkki, Tapio Viljava
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Patent number: 6773512Abstract: The invention relates to a chromatographic separation process of recovering mannose with high purity. The invention is based on the use of a chromatographic separation resin including a resin which is at least partly in a Ba2+ form resin and a resin which is in other than Ba2+ form.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Danisco Sweeteners OyInventors: Anu Ennelin, Juho Jumppanen, Vili Ravanko, Juha Nurmi, Miikka Kaira, Heikki Heikkilä
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Patent number: 6764706Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the crystallization of xylitol by contacting a xylitol solution with particulate xylitol suspended in a gas, drying the material to produce a multitude of microrystals and conditioning the material into an agglomerated product. The invention also relates to a particulate crystalline xylitol product having novel properties, to the use thereof in confectionery, foodstuff pharmaceuticals and oral hygiene products, and to special products comprising the same.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2000Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Xyrofin OYInventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Johanna Nygren, Marja-Leena Sarkki, H{dot over (a)}kan Gros, Olli-Pekka Eroma, Julita Pearson, Tammy Pepper
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Patent number: 6756490Abstract: The invention relates to a method of crystallizing maltitol from a maltitol solution by supersaturating the solution in repsect of maltitol and crystallizing the maltitol from the solution. In the process of the invention, the maltitol-containing solution is brought to a supersaturated state, and the solution is subjected to evaporation, until a crystallization mass is obtained which has a crystal yield of 1 to 80% on maltitol, and a dry solids content of over 50%. After bringing the solution to a supersaturated state, the solution is preferably seeded by adding maltitol seed crystals. In one embodiment of the invention, additional feed liquid is added during the crystallization by evaporation.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Danisco Sweeteners OyInventors: Juha Nurmi, Olli-Pekka Eroma, Heikki Heikkilä, Johanna Nygren
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Patent number: 6752902Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing chemical pulp and xylose by the use of alkaline or neutral cooking and post hydrolysis of the pulp by performing the post hydrolysis directly on the pulp by means of acid treatment. In the method of the invention, the xylan in the pulp is utilized as completely as possible, resulting in a good xylose yield and, simultaneously, acceptable characteristics for the pulp.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Danisco Sweeteners OyInventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Mirja Lindroos, Jorma Sundquist, Seppo Kauliomäki, Raimo Rasimus
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Patent number: 6692577Abstract: The invention relates to a process for purifying a maltose-containing liquor from a undesired impurities, such as maltotriose. The process of the invention is characterized by nanofiltering said liquor and recovering a purified maltose solution as the permeate.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Danisko Sweeteners OyInventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Mika Mänttäri, Mirja Lindroos, Marianne Nyström
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Patent number: 6685781Abstract: A method for separating sucrose and a second dissolved component from a sucrose-containing solution, preferably a beet-derived sucrose-containing solution, wherein the solution is subjected to a first fractionation by a continuous or sequential chromatographic simulated moving bed process to yield a sucrose-enriched fraction and a fraction enriched with the second dissolved component. The resulting fraction enriched with the second component is subjected to a second chromatographic fractionation that is a simulated moving bed or batch type process, to yield a second sucrose-enriched fraction and a second fraction enriched with the second dissolved component wherein both fractions have an improved yield or purity.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Danisco Sweeteners OyInventors: Göran Hyöky, Hannu Paananen, Kaj-Erik Montén, Heikki Heikkilä, Jarmo Kuisma
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Patent number: 6664340Abstract: The invention relates to sulphonated polymer resins, particularly polymer resins with a sulphonated shell layer, and the preparation thereof. Resins according to the invention are prepared by sulphonating a polymer in a non-swollen state with substantially pure gaseous sulphur trioxide substantially in the shell layer of the polymer particles. The polymer to be sulphonated can be for example a styrene-DVB copolymer. The resins according to the invention can be used for example as chromatographic resins, ion-exchange resins and catalyst resins.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2002Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Danisco Finland OyInventors: Ari Kärki, Erkki Paatero, Heikki Heikkilä, Heikki Mononen, Hannu Paananen, Jari Tiihonen
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Patent number: 6602691Abstract: The invention relates to the production of mannitol by bioconversion with the aid of immobilized micro-organisms as well as to the use of the mannitol and by-products formed in the conversion process. In said process a solution containing a substrate convertible into mannitol is fed into contact with solid carrier particles containing viable mannitol-forming microorganism cells immobilized in and/or on said particles. The solution is reconditioned between successive conversion steps in order to provide conversion of a major portion of said substrate into mannitol.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2001Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Xyrofin OyInventors: Heikki Ojamo, Hannu Koivikko, Heikki Heikkilä
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Patent number: 6572775Abstract: A method for fractionating a solution into two or more fractions by a chromatographic simulated moving bed (SMB) process, wherein the separation system comprises at least two separation profiles in the same loop.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Cultor CorporationInventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Göran Hyöky, Jarmo Kuisma, Hannu Paananen
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Patent number: 6482268Abstract: A method for separating sucrose and a second dissolved component from a sucrose-containing solution, preferably a beet-derived sucrose-containing solution, wherein the solution is subjected to a first fractionation by a continuous or sequential chromatographic simulated moving bed process to yield a sucrose-enriched fraction and a fraction enriched with the second dissolved component. The resulting fraction enriched with the second component is subjected to a second chromatographic fractionation that is a simulated moving bed or batch type process, to yield a second sucrose-enriched fraction and a second fraction enriched with the second dissolved component wherein both fractions have an improved yield or purity.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Danisco Finland OyInventors: Göran Hyöky, Hannu Paananen, Kaj-Erik Montén, Heikki Heikkilä, Jarmo Kuisma
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Patent number: 6395893Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for the crystallization of lactitol, to a particulate crystalline lactitol product having novel properties, to the use thereof as in foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and oral hygiene products, as well as to special lactitol sweeteners. The process comprises: contacting a liquid containing dissolved lactitol with gas suspended fine solid particles containing microcrystalline lactitol; causing substantial removal of the solvent component of said liquid and allowing the resulting lactitol material to form an essentially solid composition of matter comprising a multitude of microcrystals of lactitol; and causing said lactitol composition to be conditioned during a further step to provide a product consisting essentially throughtout its entire structure of a multitude of microcrystals of lactitol agglomerated together in a random manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Xyrofin OyInventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Johanna Nygren, Marja-Leena Sarkki, Håkan Gros, Olli-Pekka Eroma, Julita Pearson, Tammy Pepper
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Patent number: 6262318Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing xylitol and erythritol from arabinoxylan-containing material. According to the invention, the arabinoxylan-containing material is hydrolyzed and xylose and arabinose are separated from the obtained hydrolysate, whereafter the xylose is reduced to xylitol, and the xylitol is recovered, and the arabinose is subjected to alkaline oxidation to obtain erythronic acid which is reduced to erythritol, and the erythritol is recovered.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1999Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Xyrofin OyInventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Raimo Alen, Siru Kauko, Mirja Lindroos, Juha Nurmi, Päivi Sarmala, Matti Tylli
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Patent number: 6239274Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing xylose by chromatographic separation of the xylose from a sulphite cooking liquor containing for example xylose and xylonic acid. The xylose yield of the separation is affected by the xylonic acid and xylose content in the cooking liquor used in the separation and the amount of base cation used in the sulphite cooking.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Xyrofin OyInventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Jarmo Kuisma, Mirja Lindroos, Outi Puuppo, Olli-Pekka Eroma
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Patent number: 6224776Abstract: A method for fractionating a solution into two or more fractions by a chromatographic simulated moving bed (SMB) process, wherein the separation system comprises at least two separation profiles in the same loop.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Cultor CorporationInventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Göran Hyöky, Jarmo Kuisma, Hannu Paananen
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Patent number: 6214125Abstract: A method for separating sucrose and a second dissolved component from a sucrose-containing solution, preferably a beet-derived sucrose-containing solution, wherein the solution is subjected to a first fractionation by a continuous or sequential chromatographic simulated moving bed process to yield a sucrose-enriched fraction and a fraction enriched with the second dissolved component. The resulting fraction enriched with the second component is subjected to a second chromatographic fractionation that is a simulated moving bed or batch type process, to yield a second sucrose-enriched fraction and a second fraction enriched with the second dissolved component wherein both fractions have an improved yield or purity.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1998Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Danisco Finland OyInventors: Göran Hyöky, Hannu Paananen, Kaj-Erik Montén, Heikki Heikkilä, Jarmo Kuisma