Patents by Inventor Lars Axrup

Lars Axrup 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: 11724284
    Abstract: The method of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a fibrous, oxygen barrier film by casting a suspension comprising microfibrillated cellulose onto a non-porous substrate in a number of subsequent steps with intermediate drying. The invention enables an efficient method to manufacture an MFC film by casting technology without the problems of cracks or voids formed in the film. By applying the MFC in several layers, with in-between drying, the distance the water has to diffuse through is shorter, whereby the evaporation is more efficient and the film properties are not negatively affected by the drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Lars Axrup, Isabel Knöös, Christian Aulin, Magnus Hillergren, Tom Lindström, Göran Ström
  • Patent number: 11162222
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing at least one layer of a film wherein the method comprises the steps of; providing a first suspension comprising microfibrillated cellulose, providing a second suspension comprising microfibrillated dialdehyde cellulose, mixing the first suspension with the second suspension to form a mixture, applying said mixture to a substrate to form a fibrous web and drying said web to form at least one layer of said film. The present invention further relates to a film comprising said at least one layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Cecilia Land Hensdal, Adrianna Svensson, Liv Bergqvist, Amy Tran Carlström, Lars Axrup
  • 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: 20200086604
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing at least one layer of a film wherein the method comprises the steps of; providing a first suspension comprising microfibrillated cellulose, providing a second suspension comprising microfibrillated dialdehyde cellulose, mixing the first suspension with the second suspension to form a mixture, applying said mixture to a substrate to form a fibrous web and drying said web to form at least one layer of said film. The present invention further relates to a film comprising said at least one layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Cecilia Land Hensdal, Adrianna Svensson, Liv Bergqvist, Amy Tran Carlström, Lars Axrup
  • Publication number: 20200023409
    Abstract: The method of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a fibrous, oxygen barrier film by casting a suspension comprising microfibrillated cellulose onto a non-porous substrate in a number of subsequent steps with intermediate drying. The invention enables an efficient method to manufacture an MFC film by casting technology without the problems of cracks or voids formed in the film. By applying the MFC in several layers, with in-between drying, the distance the water has to diffuse through is shorter, whereby the evaporation is more efficient and the film properties are not negatively affected by the drying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Lars Axrup, Isabel Knöös, Christian Aulin, Magnus Hillergren, Tom Lindström, Göran Ström
  • Patent number: 10364297
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing microfibrillated polysaccharide, preferably microfibrillated cellulose. The invention also relates to microfibrillated cellulose obtainable by the method and use of the microfibrillated cellulose. The method of manufacturing microfibrillated cellulose comprises the following steps: a) Providing a hemicellulose containing pulp, b) Providing wood degrading enzymes c) Mixing pulp and enzymes d) Keeping the mixture in a continuous, flowing system of essentially cylindrical geometry (for example in a plug-flow reactor), e) Conveying the mixture to one or more mixing zones for recirculating and homogenizing the mixture, and f) Harvesting microfibrillated cellulose with a relatively narrow size distribution during the recirculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: STORA ENSO OYJ
    Inventors: Lars Axrup, Henri Kastinen
  • 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: 10138599
    Abstract: The present invention relates to process for the production of a coated substrate comprising cellulosic fibers, the process comprising the steps of: i) providing a first substrate comprising cellulosic fibers and having a dry content of less than 50%; ii) applying a coating composition to the first substrate in an amount of more than 5 g/m2, calculated as dry weight of the coating composition, wherein the coating composition comprises: microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), and optionally a water retention agent selected from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), anionic polyacrylamide (A-PAM), sodium polyacrylates, polyacrylic acid derivatives, guar gum, alginate, MFC prepared from carboxymethylated fibers, MFC prepared from oxidized fibers, MFC prepared by CMC-functionalized fibers, and/or combinations thereof; and iii) mechanically dewatering the first substrate. The present process provides an energy efficient coating process which can be performed online.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: STORA ENSO OYJ
    Inventors: Christian Aulin, Lars Axrup, Göran Flodberg, Magnus Hillergren, Tom Lindström, Carl-Henrik Ljungqvist, Göran Ström
  • Publication number: 20180237990
    Abstract: Method for producing microfibrillated cellulose(MFC), wherein the method comprising the steps of: Pre-treating of chemical pulp, such that, the pulp reaches a Schopper-Riegler (SR) value above 50, and refining the pulp, at a consistency of 3-6%, in a refiner with refiner blades, wherein the height of the refiner blades is in the range 2-3 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Henri Kastinen, Lars Axrup, Saija Pollanen, Jani Korhonen, Petri Suhonen, Teemu Tiainen, Matti Vakevainen
  • Patent number: 9994999
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a paper or paperboard substrate having barrier properties which substrate comprises a first fiber based layer, a second layer comprising micro-fibrillated cellulose, a third layer comprising a heat sealable polymer, and a fourth layer comprising aluminum, aluminum oxide or titanium dioxide. The invention further relates to a process for the production of said substrate and a package formed of said substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: STORA ENSO OYJ
    Inventors: Lars Axrup, Isto Heiskanen, 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: 20170342661
    Abstract: The present invention relates to process for the production of a coated substrate comprising cellulosic fibres, the process comprising the steps of: i) providing a first substrate comprising cellulosic fibres and having a dry content of less than 50%; ii) applying a coating composition to the first substrate in an amount of more than 5 g/m2, calculated as dry weight of the coating composition, wherein the coating composition comprises: microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), and optionally a water retention agent selected from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), anionic polyacrylamide (A-PAM), sodium polyacrylates, polyacrylic acid derivatives, guar gum, alginate, MFC prepared from carboxymethylated fibers, MFC prepared from oxidized fibers, MFC prepared by CMC-functionalised fibers, and/or combinations thereof; and iii) mechanically dewatering the first substrate. The present process provides an energy efficient coating process which can be performed online.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Christian Aulin, Lars Axrup, Göran Flodberg, Magnus Hillergren, Tom Lindström, Carl-Henrik Ljungqvist, Göran Ström
  • Publication number: 20170320969
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing microfibrillated polysaccharide, preferably microfibrillated cellulose. The invention also relates to microfibrillated cellulose obtainable by the method and use of the microfibrillated cellulose. The method of manufacturing microfibrillated cellulose comprises the following steps: a) Providing a hemicellulose containing pulp, b) Providing wood degrading enzymes c) Mixing pulp and enzymes d) Keeping the mixture in a continuous, flowing system of essentially cylindrical geometry (for example in a plug-flow reactor), e) Conveying the mixture to one or more mixing zones for recirculating and homogenizing the mixture, and f) Harvesting microfibrillated cellulose with a relatively narrow size distribution during the recirculation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Lars Axrup, Henri Kastinen
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9365978
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a dispersion comprising microfibrillated cellulose and nanoparticles wherein the process comprises the steps; providing a slurry comprising pre-treated cellulose fibers, adding nanoparticles to the slurry and treating the slurry by mechanical disintegration so that a dispersion comprising microfibrillated cellulose is formed in which the nanoparticles are being adsorbed to the surface of the microfibrillated cellulose and/or being adsorbed into the microfibrillated cellulose. The invention further relates to a dispersion produced according to the process, a paper or board product being coated with a coating comprising said dispersion and a paper or board product being produced from said dispersion as well as a composite comprising said dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Stora Enso, OYJ
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Lars Axrup, Mari-Ann Norborg, Isabel Knoos
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9175441
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a paper or paperboard comprising at least two plies wherein microfibrillated cellulose is added to the surface of a first ply and the other ply is attached to the first ply so that the microfibrillated cellulose located in between the plies. The invention further relates to a paper or board produced according to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Lars Axrup, Risto Laitinen
  • 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