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).

  • Patent number: 6872316
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Danisco Sweeteners Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkilä , Mika Mänttäri, Mirja Lindroos, Marianne Nyström
  • Patent number: 6846657
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Xyrofin Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Göran Hyöky, Leena Rahkila, Marja Leena Sarkki, Tapio Viljava
  • Patent number: 6773512
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Danisco Sweeteners Oy
    Inventors: Anu Ennelin, Juho Jumppanen, Vili Ravanko, Juha Nurmi, Miikka Kaira, Heikki Heikkilä
  • Patent number: 6764706
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Xyrofin OY
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Johanna Nygren, Marja-Leena Sarkki, H{dot over (a)}kan Gros, Olli-Pekka Eroma, Julita Pearson, Tammy Pepper
  • Patent number: 6756490
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Danisco Sweeteners Oy
    Inventors: Juha Nurmi, Olli-Pekka Eroma, Heikki Heikkilä, Johanna Nygren
  • Patent number: 6752902
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Danisco Sweeteners Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Mirja Lindroos, Jorma Sundquist, Seppo Kauliomäki, Raimo Rasimus
  • Patent number: 6692577
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Danisko Sweeteners Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Mika Mänttäri, Mirja Lindroos, Marianne Nyström
  • Patent number: 6685781
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Danisco Sweeteners Oy
    Inventors: Göran Hyöky, Hannu Paananen, Kaj-Erik Montén, Heikki Heikkilä, Jarmo Kuisma
  • Patent number: 6664340
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Danisco Finland Oy
    Inventors: Ari Kärki, Erkki Paatero, Heikki Heikkilä, Heikki Mononen, Hannu Paananen, Jari Tiihonen
  • Patent number: 6602691
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Xyrofin Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Ojamo, Hannu Koivikko, Heikki Heikkilä
  • Patent number: 6572775
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Cultor Corporation
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Göran Hyöky, Jarmo Kuisma, Hannu Paananen
  • Patent number: 6482268
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Danisco Finland Oy
    Inventors: Göran Hyöky, Hannu Paananen, Kaj-Erik Montén, Heikki Heikkilä, Jarmo Kuisma
  • Patent number: 6395893
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Xyrofin Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Johanna Nygren, Marja-Leena Sarkki, Håkan Gros, Olli-Pekka Eroma, Julita Pearson, Tammy Pepper
  • Patent number: 6262318
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Xyrofin Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Raimo Alen, Siru Kauko, Mirja Lindroos, Juha Nurmi, Päivi Sarmala, Matti Tylli
  • Patent number: 6239274
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Xyrofin Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Jarmo Kuisma, Mirja Lindroos, Outi Puuppo, Olli-Pekka Eroma
  • Patent number: 6224776
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Cultor Corporation
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkilä, Göran Hyöky, Jarmo Kuisma, Hannu Paananen
  • Patent number: 6214125
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Danisco Finland Oy
    Inventors: Göran Hyöky, Hannu Paananen, Kaj-Erik Montén, Heikki Heikkilä, Jarmo Kuisma