Patents by Inventor Kris A. Berglund

Kris A. Berglund 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: 11390834
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a reactive distillation method for beverage spirit production, the method comprising. An initial reaction mixture includes water, ethanol, and a carboxylic acid, for example having 3 or more carbon atoms. The reaction mixture is reactively distilled in the presence of an esterification catalyst to react a portion of the ethanol and the carboxylic acid to form an ethyl carboxylate reaction product, and form a distillation product or distillate including water, ethanol, and the ethyl carboxylate. The esterification catalyst is not present in the distillation product, for example when using a solid acid esterification catalyst in the reaction mixture. In a refinement, ethanol and the carboxylic acid can be co-fermented in an initial grain mixture, which is subsequently reactively distilled according to the disclosed method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kris A. Berglund, Jacob Rochte
  • Publication number: 20190292501
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a reactive distillation method for beverage spirit production, the method comprising. An initial reaction mixture includes water, ethanol, and a carboxylic acid, for example having 3 or more carbon atoms. The reaction mixture is reactively distilled in the presence of an esterification catalyst to react a portion of the ethanol and the carboxylic acid to form an ethyl carboxylate reaction product, and form a distillation product or distillate including water, ethanol, and the ethyl carboxylate. The esterification catalyst is not present in the distillation product, for example when using a solid acid esterification catalyst in the reaction mixture. In a refinement, ethanol and the carboxylic acid can be co-fermented in an initial grain mixture, which is subsequently reactively distilled according to the disclosed method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Kris A. Berglund, Jacob Rochte
  • Patent number: 9737087
    Abstract: A composition that is a substitute for food grade sodium chloride includes crystalline particles containing both potassium chloride and lysine monohydrochloride such that the potassium chloride and lysine monohydrochloride are not susceptible to separation. A process for making the composition includes steps of providing a supersaturated water solution of potassium chloride and lysine monohydrochloride at a temperature of from about 10 to about 70° C., adding ethanol to the solution in an amount sufficient to precipitate crystalline particles containing a combination of potassium chloride and lysine monohydrochloride, separating the crystalline particles from the solution, and drying the crystalline particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Working Bugs, LLC
    Inventors: Kris A. Berglund, Erik A. Berglund
  • Publication number: 20160037813
    Abstract: A composition that is a substitute for food grade sodium chloride includes crystalline particles containing both potassium chloride and lysine monohydrochloride such that the potassium chloride and lysine monohydrochloride are not susceptible to separation. A process for making the composition includes steps of providing a supersaturated water solution of potassium chloride and lysine monohydrochloride at a temperature of from about 10 to about 70° C., adding ethanol to the solution in an amount sufficient to precipitate crystalline particles containing a combination of potassium chloride and lysine monohydrochloride, separating the crystalline particles from the solution, and drying the crystalline particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Working Bugs, LLC
    Inventors: Kris A. Berglund, Erik A. Berglund
  • Patent number: 9204663
    Abstract: A composition that is a substitute for food grade sodium chloride includes crystalline particles containing both potassium chloride and lysine monohydrochloride such that the potassium chloride and lysine monohydrochloride are not susceptible to separation. A process for making the composition includes steps of providing a supersaturated water solution of potassium chloride and lysine monohydrochloride at a temperature of from about 10 to about 70° C., adding ethanol to the solution in an amount sufficient to precipitate crystalline particles containing a combination of potassium chloride and lysine monohydrochloride, separating the crystalline particles from the solution, and drying the crystalline particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Working Bugs, LLC
    Inventors: Kris A. Berglund, Erik A. Berglund, Dianne Holman
  • Patent number: 8981166
    Abstract: An improved process for extracting fusel alcohols and/or fusel alcohol esters from an ethanol fermentation product involves adding to the fermentation product an extractant solvent selected from amyl alcohols, amyl acetates, and mixtures thereof to produce a two-phase system including a water and alcohol phase, and an immiscible second phase comprised of amyl alcohols, amyl acetates or a mixture thereof. Thereafter, the first and second phases can be separated to obtain a first phase depleted of fusel alcohols and/or esters of fusel alcohols and a second phase containing fusel alcohols and/or esters of fusel alcohols extracted from the first phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Working Bugs, LLC
    Inventors: Kris A. Berglund, Peter K. Rossman
  • Publication number: 20140221701
    Abstract: An improved process for extracting fusel alcohols and/or fusel alcohol esters from an ethanol fermentation product involves adding to the fermentation product an extractant solvent selected from amyl alcohols, amyl acetates, and mixtures thereof to produce a two-phase system including a water and alcohol phase, and an immiscible second phase comprised of amyl alcohols, amyl acetates or a mixture thereof. Thereafter, the first and second phases can be separated to obtain a first phase depleted of fusel alcohols and/or esters of fusel alcohols and a second phase containing fusel alcohols and/or esters of fusel alcohols extracted from the first phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Working Bugs, LLC
    Inventors: Kris A. Berglund, Peter K. Rossman
  • Publication number: 20090090048
    Abstract: Fuel compositions comprising primarily a mono- or di-butyl succinate as an oxygenation additive are described. The fuels can be diesel fuels which generate carbon based particulates in diesel engines. The result is reduced emissions of particulates from the diesel engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventor: Kris A. Berglund
  • Publication number: 20070122892
    Abstract: A process for hydrolyzing sucrose to glucose and fructose using succinic acid is described. The hydrolysate can be used to produce purified glucose and/or fructose or can be used as a carbon source for fermentations to produce various chemicals including succinic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Christian Andersson, Ulrika Rova, Kris Berglund
  • Publication number: 20050142219
    Abstract: A potassium salt composition from seaweed, methods for producing the composition, and methods of using the composition of an essentially sodium-free salt substitute and/or potassium dietary supplement is described. The potassium salt composition has a pleasant salty taste and has a crystalline appearance that resembles regular table salt, but it is essentially free of the sodium and the metals. In addition, the product is essentially free of seaweed aromas or flavors which are removed by absorption or adsorption from an aqueous solution containing the dissolved potassium salt substitute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Applicant: Diversified Natural Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dilum Dunuwila, Kris Berglund
  • Patent number: 6878797
    Abstract: A process for producing alkali metal polymaleimide salts by alkaline hydrolysis of maleimide polymers prepared by polymerization of maleimide monomers in the presence of a metal oxide and alcohol initiator or a base. In particular, the process produces alkali metal polymaleimide salts with particular ratios of C—N and C—C connected maleimide-derived monomer units which are dependent on the particular initiator used to synthesize the maleimide polymer. The alkali metal polymaleimide salts, which have chelating and anti-scaling properties, are useful as chelating agents and detergent builders and as such are suitable biodegradable replacements for synthetic polymers and sodium polyaspartate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignees: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, Applied CarboChemicals
    Inventors: Kris A. Berglund, Parminder Agarwal, Qiuyue Yu, Adam Harant
  • Patent number: 6846431
    Abstract: A liquid antifreeze which is produced from renewable resources, and which is biodegradable, non-toxic, and is non-corrosive to engines is provided. The liquid antifreeze composition for use as an engine coolant in a dilute or concentrate form comprises a water soluble salt of succinic acid, a water soluble salt of acetic acid, ethanol, and water, wherein the composition has a freezing point of greater than ?30° C. in the engine. A method for cooling an engine with a cooling system which comprises the coolant compositions is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Diversified Natural Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dilum D. Dunuwila, Kris A. Berglund
  • Publication number: 20040088909
    Abstract: Fuel compositions comprising primarily diethyl succinate as an oxygenation additive are described. The fuels can be diesel fuels which generate carbon based particulates in diesel engines. The result is reduced emissions of particulates from the diesel engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Kris A. Berglund
  • Patent number: 6649793
    Abstract: A process of the preparation of a N,N-diamino amino acid-&bgr;-hydroxy-succinic acid as a N,N-diacid salt (I) is described. The process involves reacting epoxy succinic acid with an amino acid having two amino groups as an N-acid salt. The compounds are useful as chelators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignees: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, Applied CarboChemicals
    Inventors: Charles Ngowe, Kris A. Berglund
  • Publication number: 20030197150
    Abstract: Deicing and anti-icing compositions comprising a succinate salt and at least one freezing point depressant selected from the group consisting of monohydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohols, monomethyl or monoethyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols, and mixtures thereof. The compositions have enhanced ice-melting capacity compared to the ice-melting capacity of the succinate salt or the alcohol alone, particularly at temperatures below about −10° C. The compositions are particularly useful as a windshield deicer/washer. Particular embodiments of the compositions are environmentally friendly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicants: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, Applied CarboChemicals
    Inventors: Kris A. Berglund, Dilum D. Dunuwila, Hasan Alizadeh
  • Publication number: 20030199664
    Abstract: A process for producing alkali metal polymaleimide salts by alkaline hydrolysis of maleimide polyners prepared by polymerization of maleimide monomers in the presence of a metal oxide and alcohol initiator or a base. In particular, the process produces alkali metal polymaleimide salts with particular ratios of C—N and C—C connected maleimide-derived monomer units which are dependent on the particular initiator used to synthesize the maleimide polymer. The alkali metal polymaleimide salts, which have chelating and anti-scaling properties, are useful as chelating agents and detergent builders and as such are suitable biodegradable replacements for synthetic polymers and sodium polyaspartate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicants: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, Applied CarboChemicals
    Inventors: Kris A. Berglund, Parminder Agarwal, Qiuyue Yu, Adam Harant
  • Patent number: 6635188
    Abstract: Deicing and anti-icing compositions comprising a succinate salt and at least one freezing point depressant selected from the group consisting of monohydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohols, monomethyl or monoethyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols, and mixtures thereof. The compositions have enhanced ice-melting capacity compared to the ice-melting capacity of the succinate salt or the alcohol alone, particularly at temperatures below about −10° C. The compositions are particularly useful as a windshield deicer/washer. Particular embodiments of the compositions are environmentally friendly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignees: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, Applied CarboChemicals
    Inventors: Kris A. Berglund, Dilum D. Dunuwila, Hasan Alizadeh
  • Patent number: 6630431
    Abstract: A composition which is a mixture of a hydroxylated carboxylic acid ester and a mono-, di- or tricarboxylic acid ester for solvating a nail polish lacquer for removal is described. Included are kits for compositions for and a method of using the compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventor: Kris A. Berglund
  • Patent number: 6623657
    Abstract: Deicing compositions are provided for removing ice from a surface which include either succinic acid or succinic anhydride, or both, and a neutralizing base such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or ammonium hydroxide wherein the deicing compositions when mixed with water produce succinate salts in a reaction that rapidly releases sufficient heat to melt the ice on the surface and the succinate salts act as a deicer and freezing point depressant. In particular embodiments, the deicing compositions further include a glycol which inhibits reformation of the ice on the deiced surface. The deicing compositions are suitable and effective for airport applications in which corrosion of aircraft alloys and concrete runways are of concern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Kris A. Berglund, Dilum D. Dunuwila, Hasan Alizadeh
  • Publication number: 20020183215
    Abstract: A composition which is a mixture of a hydroxylated carboxylic acid ester and a mono-, di- or tricarboxylic acid ester for solvating a nail polish lacquer for removal is described. Included are kits for compositions for and a method of using the compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventor: Kris A. Berglund