Patents by Inventor Tapani Vuorinen

Tapani Vuorinen 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: 20210130500
    Abstract: The present application provides a method for preparing nanofibrillar cellulose product, the method comprising providing nanofibrillar cellulose, providing multivalent cations, contacting the nanofibrillar cellulose with the multivalent cations, and allowing reacting for a period of time to obtain cross-linked nanofibrillar cellulose product. The present application also provides a nanofibrillar cellulose product comprising nanofibrillar cellulose and multivalent cations, wherein the nanofibrillar cellulose is crosslinked by the multivalent cations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Tapani VUORINEN, Pegah KHANJANI, Thaddeus MALONEY, Sara CECCHERINI, Markus NUOPPONEN, Kari LUUKKO
  • Patent number: 10767307
    Abstract: A method for catalytic oxidation of cellulose using a heterocyclic nitroxyl radical as catalyst, main oxidant acting as oxygen source, and an activator of the heterocyclic nitroxyl radical, comprises—a preliminary activation step of the heterocyclic nitroxyl radical with hypochlorite to activated catalyst, and after the preliminary activation step, a cellulose oxidation step using the activated catalyst and hypochlorite as the main oxidant to oxidize cellulose. In the cellulose oxidation step, fibrous starting material is subjected to the oxidation to oxidize the cellulose, whereafter the oxidized fibrous raw material is disintegrated to nanofibrillar cellulose (NFC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE, CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timo Pääkkönen, Tapani Vuorinen, Markus Nuopponen
  • Patent number: 10604589
    Abstract: Cellulose is oxidized catalytically using a heterocyclic nitroxyl radical as catalyst, main oxidant acting as oxygen source, and an activator of the heterocyclic nitroxyl radical. The oxidation is performed in a reaction medium which is at medium consistency of cellulosic pulp, which is above 6%, more preferably equal to or higher than 8%, and most preferably in the range of 8-12%. The reaction medium is mixed in a reactor through circulation of the reaction medium back to the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taisto Tienvieri, Isko Kajanto, Tero Ojala, Sami Saarela, Markus Nuopponen, Timo Paakkonen, Tapani Vuorinen
  • Patent number: 9969816
    Abstract: A method for catalytic oxidation of cellulose using a heterocyclic nitroxyl radical as catalyst and main oxidant acting as oxygen source comprises, before the catalytic oxidation of the cellulose, pretreatment of the cellulose—in an alkaline pretreatment step, where the cellulose is treated in alkaline solution having hydroxide concentration of above 0.3 M, and—in a washing step, where the cellulose treated in the alkaline solution is washed to lower the pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Markus Nuopponen, Timo Paakkonen, Raili Ponni, Tapani Vuorinen
  • Patent number: 9540767
    Abstract: A method for bleaching pulp is provided. In the method at least one tertiary amine compound is introduced into a process stage of bleaching. This process stage is a stage which comprises mixing pulp and a chlorine compound capable of bleaching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignees: KEMIRA OYJ, ANDRITZ OY, UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION, STORA ENSO OYJ, METSÄ FIBRE OY
    Inventors: Tapani Vuorinen, Anna-Stiina Jääskeläinen, Andreas Lindberg
  • Patent number: 9410285
    Abstract: In a method for catalytic oxidation of cellulose a heterocyclic nitroxyl radical is used as catalyst, hypochlorite is used as main oxidant acting as oxygen source, and a tertiary amine or chlorine dioxide as an activator of the heterocyclic nitroxyl radical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tapani Vuorinen, Timo Pääkkönen, Markus Nuopponen
  • Publication number: 20160201261
    Abstract: A method for catalytic oxidation of cellulose using a heterocyclic nitroxyl radical as catalyst and main oxidant acting as oxygen source comprises, before the catalytic oxidation of the cellulose, pretreatment of the cellulose—in an alkaline pretreatment step, where the cellulose is treated in alkaline solution having hydroxide concentration of above 0.3 M, and—in a washing step, where the cellulose treated in the alkaline solution is washed to lower the pH.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Markus Nuopponen, Timo Paakkonen, Raili Ponni, Tapani Vuorinen
  • Publication number: 20160160440
    Abstract: A method for catalytic oxidation of cellulose using a heterocyclic nitroxyl radical as catalyst, main oxidant acting as oxygen source, and an activator of the heterocyclic nitroxyl radical, comprises—a preliminary activation step of the heterocyclic nitroxyl radical with hypochlorite to activated catalyst, and after the preliminary activation step, a cellulose oxidation step using the activated catalyst and hypochlorite as the main oxidant to oxidize cellulose. In the cellulose oxidation step, fibrous starting material is subjected to the oxidation to oxidize the cellulose, whereafter the oxidized fibrous raw material is disintegrated to nanofibrillar cellulose (NFC).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Timo Pääkkönen, Tapani Vuorinen, Markus Nuopponen
  • Publication number: 20150322171
    Abstract: Cellulose is oxidized catalytically using a heterocyclic nitroxyl radical as catalyst, main oxidant acting as oxygen source, and an activator of the heterocyclic nitroxyl radical. The oxidation is performed in a reaction medium which is at medium consistency of cellulosic pulp, which is above 6%, more preferably equal to or higher than 8%, and most preferably in the range of 8-12%. The reaction medium is mixed in a reactor through circulation of the reaction medium back to the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Taisto Tienvieri, Isko Kajanto, Tero Ojala, Sami Saarela, Markus Nuopponen, Timo Paakkonen, Tapani Vuorinen
  • Publication number: 20150152600
    Abstract: A method for bleaching pulp is provided. In the method at least one tertiary amine compound is introduced into a process stage of bleaching. This process stage is a stage which comprises mixing pulp and a chlorine compound capable of bleaching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Tapani Vuorinen, Anna-Stiina Jääskeläinen, Andreas Lindberg
  • Patent number: 8785158
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for dissolving cellulose e.g. for the production of regenerated cellulose products such as films, fibers, particles and the like. In said method, the cellulose material is dissolved using an enzymatic treatment, followed by a base treatment. The invention is also directed to a method for producing cellulose particles wherein cellulose dissolved as described above is sprayed or mixed into a regenerating solution for precipitating cellulose particles. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of said cellulose particles produced with this method as a filler and/or coating pigment of paper and board. The invention is also directed to methods for producing and coating paper and board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sappi Netherlands Services B.V.
    Inventors: Kimmo Koivunen, Petri Silenius, Janne Laine, Tapani Vuorinen
  • Publication number: 20140110070
    Abstract: In a method for catalytic oxidation of cellulose a heterocyclic nitroxyl radical is used as catalyst, hypochlorite is used as main oxidant acting as oxygen source, and a tertiary amine or chlorine dioxide as an activator of the heterocyclic nitroxyl radical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tapani Vuorinen, Timo Pääkkönen, Markus Nuopponen
  • Publication number: 20090126891
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating cellulose particles with a light scattering material, to coated cellulose particles, to the use thereof as a filler and as a coating pigment in paper and board, and further, to methods for producing and for coating paper and board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: M-real Oyj
    Inventors: Kimmo Koivunen, Petri Silenius, Janne Laine, Tapani Vuorinen
  • Publication number: 20090014902
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for dissolving cellulose e.g. for the production of regenerated cellulose products such as films, fibres, particles and the like. In said method, the cellulose material is dissolved using an enzymatic treatment, followed by a base treatment. The invention is also directed to a method for producing cellulose particles wherein cellulose dissolved as described above is sprayed or mixed into a regenerating solution for precipitating cellulose particles. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of said cellulose particles produced with this method as a filler and/or coating pigment of paper and board. The invention is also directed to methods for producing and coating paper and board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Kimmo Koivunen, Petri Silenius, Janne Laine, Tapani Vuorinen
  • Patent number: 6958108
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified fiber product and a method of producing same. According to the method, the cellulosic raw material is formed into a fiber suspension, into which components modifying the properties of the fibers are added, subsequent to which the fibrous material is dried in connection with, for example, web forming. According to the invention, alkyl derivative of cellulose is mixed into the fiber suspension in alkaline conditions, the derivative being at least partly dissolved in water, and the derivative is allowed to be sorbed into the fibrous material prior to drying such that the sorbed cellulose derivative can not be washed off with water. The strength properties or the water retention of paper and paperboard products can be improved by using the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: M-real Oyj
    Inventor: Tapani Vuorinen
  • Patent number: 6830655
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for enzymatic treatment of lignocellulosic materials which contain xylan-polymers, such as cellulose kraft pulps. According to a method of the present kind, at least a part of the hexenuronic acid groups present in the material is selectively removed in order to remove metal ions from the pulp, to change the surface charge thereof, to improve the brightness stability of the pulp and to render the material more suitable for enzymatic treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus
    Inventors: Matti Siika-Aho, Johanna Buchert, Tapani Vuorinen, Anita Teleman, Maija Tenkanen, Michael Bailey, Liisa Viikari
  • Publication number: 20040069426
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for enzymatic treatment of lignocellulosic materials which contain xylan-polymers, such as cellulose kraft pulps. According to a method of the present kind, at least a part of the hexenuronic acid groups present in the material is selectively removed in order to remove metal ions from the pulp, to change the surface charge thereof, to improve the brightness stability of the pulp and to render the material more suitable for enzymatic treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: MATTI SIIKA-AHO, JOHANNA BUCHERT, TAPANI VUORINEN, ANITA TELEMAN, MAIJA TENKANEN, MICHAEL BAILEY, LIISA VIIKARI
  • Publication number: 20020056533
    Abstract: A method of bleaching chemical cellulose pulp from an alkaline (e.g. kraft) pulping process in a chlorine dioxide stage includes (without between step washing) bleaching the pulp in a first chlorine dioxide step, and adjusting the pH of the pulp in the first chlorine dioxide step so that the final pH of the step is over 4; and then (b) effecting acid treatment of the chemical cellulose pulp at a pH of between 2-5 (preferably 2.5-4) and a temperature of over 80° C. (preferably between about 90-110° C.). The temperature in the first chlorine dioxide stage is preferably over 75° C., e.g. between about 80-100° C., and for a time of less than ten minutes, with a chlorine dioxide dosage of between about 0.5-1.5% active chlorine. Preferably a second chlorine dioxide step is practiced after the acid treatment, preferably at substantially the same conditions as the first chlorine dioxide step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: TAPANI VUORINEN, SARI JUUTILAINEN, AKI VILPPONEN
  • Patent number: 5563303
    Abstract: A method for producing xylitol from D-glucose, D-fructose, D-galactose or mixtures thereof, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:a. oxidation of the starting material to an intermediate that consists mainly of L-xylonic acid, D-arabinonic acid, D-lyxonic acid or a mixture of at least two of said acids, whereby said acids are free or in the form of their salts, lactones or O-formyl derivatives;b. treatment of said intermediate with a hydrogenation catalyst and hydrogen gas in one or several steps to a product consisting mainly of xylitol or a mixture of xylitol, arabinitol and ribitol;c. and, if necessary, separation of xylitol from said product and, if said product consist mainly of said mixture of pentitols, feeding of the fractions of arabinitol and ribitol back to the preceding reaction step b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Amylum, n.v.
    Inventor: Tapani Vuorinen