Patents by Inventor Heikki Heikkila

Heikki Heikkila 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: 20030125588
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of xylitol. The process utilises ribulose for the preparation of xylitol and involves several different conversion reactions, such as reduction, epimerisation and/or isomerisation. The present invention also relates to the use of ribulose for the preparation of xylitol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: Danisco Sweeteners Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkila, Heikki Ojamo, Andrei Miasnikov, Vili Ravanko, Matti Tylli
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030097029
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of xylitol. In particular, processes utilising L-xylose as an intermediate for xylitol production are described. The present invention also relates to process for the preparation or L-xylose, as an intermediate, by-product or end-product to be used per se.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkila, Heikki Ojamo, Matti Tylli, Vili Ravanko, Juha Nurmi, Piia Haimi, Raimo Alen, Hannu Koivikko
  • Publication number: 20030094416
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the fractionation of molasses using a chromatographic simulated moving bed system with two or more loops in which the liquid flow can be effected in a system comprising at least two chromatographic partial packing material beds. In the method of the invention, product(s) are recovered during a process comprising one or more of the following phases: a feeding phase of molasses, an eluting phase and a recycling phase. The liquid present in the partial packing material beds with their dry solids profile can be recycled in the recycling phase in one or more loops comprising one or more partial packing material beds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkila, Jari Lewandowski, Hannu Paananen, Jarmo Kuisma, Goran Hyoky, Kaj-Erik Monten
  • Publication number: 20030037892
    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: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: Danisco Sweeteners Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkila, Mirja Lindroos, Jorma Sundquist, Seppo Kauliomaki, Raimo Rasimus
  • Patent number: 6512110
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of xylose from a paper-grade hardwood pulp comprising the steps of extracting xylan contained in said pulp into a liquid phase, subjecting the xylan contained in the obtained liquid phase to conditions sufficient to hydrolyze xylan to xylose, and recovering the xylose, wherein the extracting step includes at least one treatment of an aqueous suspension of said pulp or an alkali-soluble material thereof with a xylanase enzyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Xyrofin Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkila, Marja-Leena Sarkki, Vili Ravanko, Mirja Lindroos
  • Publication number: 20030006191
    Abstract: A method for fractionating a solution into two or more fractions. More particularly the invention relates to a method for fractionating a solution by a chromatographic simulated moving bed (SMB) process in which the dissolved substances present in the feedstock are separated in the partial packed beds, and the formed separation profile is circulated more than once or less than once through the chromatographic separation loop during one cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: Danisco Sweeteners Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkila, Jari Lewandowski, Jarmo Kuisma
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20020169311
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method comprising a multistep process for recovering betaine, erythritol, inositol, sucrose, mannitol, glycerol and amino acids from corresponding starting materials. The invention comprises the use of a weakly acid cation exchange resin in chromatographic column in the multistep process. The starting materials are especially beet molasses, betaine molasses, syrups, thick juices, raw juices, corn steep cane based solutions and glycerol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Finnfeeds Finland Oy
    Inventors: Hannu Paananen, Jarmo Kuisma, Vili Ravanko, Nina Mayra, Heikki Heikkila, Jari Lewandowski
  • Publication number: 20020164731
    Abstract: Effective processes are provided for the production of xylitol and ethanol and other products from solutions derived from lignocellulose-containing material in biomass. The solutions can be hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed before being fermented with microbes. The fermented solution can be distilled and can be subsequently separated, such as, by chromatographic separation, membrane separation, etc. The recovered xylitol solution can be crystallized to provide pure xylitol crystals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Olli-Pekka Eroma, Heikki Heikkila, Heikki Ojamo, Paivi Sarmala, Goran Hyoky, Leena Rahkila, Marja-Leena Sarkki, Tapio Viljava
  • Publication number: 20020158021
    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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: Danisco Sweeteners Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkila, Mika Manttari, Mirja Lindroos, Marianne Nystrom
  • Publication number: 20020153317
    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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Danisco Sweeteners Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkila, Mika Manttari, Mirja Lindroos, Marianne Nystrom
  • Publication number: 20020120135
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering a monosaccharide selected from the group consisting of rhamnose, arabinose, xylose and mixtures thereof from a solution containing the same by a multistep process using chromatographic separation comprising at least one step, where a weakly acid cation exchange resin is used for the chromatographic separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Xyrofin Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkila, Juho Jumppanen, Vesa Kurula, Vili Ravanko, Tiina Tervala, Nina Mayra
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20010009236
    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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: CULTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkila, Goran Hyoky, Jarmo Kuisma, Hannu Paananen
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20010001956
    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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Inventors: Goran Hyoky, Hannu Paananen, Kaj-Erik Monten, Heikki Heikkila, Jarmo Kuisma
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20010000401
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the fractionation of molasses using a chromatographic simulated moving bed system in which the liquid flow is effected in a single direction in a system comprising at least two chromatographic partial packing material beds. In the method of the invention, the product or products are recovered during a multi-step sequence comprising the following phases: feeding phase of molasses, eluting phase and recycling phase. The liquid present in the partial packing material beds with their dry solids profile is recycled in the recycling phase in a loop comprising one, two or several partial packing material beds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Publication date: April 26, 2001
    Inventors: Heikki Heikkila, Goran Hyoky, Jarmo Kuisma