Patents by Inventor Teppo Nurminen

Teppo Nurminen 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: 9108872
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the separation of solids from a biowaste slurry before heat treatment, and for heat treatment of the separated solids. The device comprises a chamber with a main inlet port for feeding slurry, and outlet ports. A unit for separating solids is adapted to an outlet port so, that liquid leaving the chamber has passed through the separation unit. A second outlet port is provided directly from the chamber to allow removal, following sterilization, of solids collected in the chamber. The sterilization is secured by temperature monitoring at representative locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: STERIS Europe, Inc. Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventors: Mauri Salmisuo, Juha Mattila, Teppo Nurminen
  • Publication number: 20140251923
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the separation of solids from a biowaste slurry before heat treatment, and for heat treatment of the separated solids. The device comprises a chamber with a main inlet port for feeding slurry, and outlet ports. A unit for separating solids is adapted to an outlet port so, that liquid leaving the chamber has passed through the separation unit. A second outlet port is provided directly from the chamber to allow removal, following sterilization, of solids collected in the chamber. The sterilization is secured by temperature monitoring at representative locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: STERIS EUROPE, INC. SUOMEN SIVULIIKE
    Inventors: Mauri Salmisuo, Juha Mattila, Teppo Nurminen
  • Patent number: 8764975
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the separation of solids from a biowaste slurry before heat treatment, and for heat treatment of the separated solids. The device comprises a chamber with a main inlet port for feeding slurry, and outlet ports. A unit for separating solids is adapted to an outlet port so, that liquid leaving the chamber has passed through the separation unit. A second outlet port is provided directly from the chamber to allow removal, following sterilization, of solids collected in the chamber. The sterilization is secured by temperature monitoring at representative locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Steris Europe, Inc. Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventors: Mauri Salmisuo, Juha Mattila, Teppo Nurminen
  • Patent number: 8747772
    Abstract: The invention relates to the batch treatment of goods with gas, steam or vapor, for example sterilization and drying. The distribution of the medium surrounding the load (8) during all stages of such a process is important. According to the invention, movement of fluids within a batch treatment apparatus is achieved using a fluid ejector device (9), An apparatus for the gas, steam or vapor treatment of objects is provided, said apparatus having inside a closable chamber (1) at least one ejector device (9) of the type having a straight flow path for the secondary stream. Any particular fluid or mixture of different fluids entering the chamber during a treatment process may be introduced via an ejector device (9) in order to distribute the fluid around the load (8), or remove material deposited on the load (8). The invention eliminates the need for shaft seal arrangements involved with fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Steris Europe, Inc. Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventors: Teppo Nurminen, Ilkka Laitinen
  • Publication number: 20120267323
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the separation of solids from a biowaste slurry before heat treatment, and for heat treatment of the separated solids. The device comprises a chamber with a main inlet port for feeding slurry, and outlet ports. A unit for separating solids is adapted to an outlet port so, that liquid leaving the chamber has passed through the separation unit. A second outlet port is provided directly from the chamber to allow removal, following sterilization, of solids collected in the chamber. The sterilization is secured by temperature monitoring at representative locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Mauri Salmisuo, Juha Mattila, Teppo Nurminen
  • Patent number: 8206660
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sterilizer having a housing defining a sterilization chamber. An opening in the housing communicates with the chamber. A surface surrounds the opening, and a door is movable between one of an open position allowing access to the chamber through the opening and a closed position covering the opening. A seal element is associated with the surface for forming a fluid-tight seal between the door and the surface when the door is in the closed position. An operating system is provided for applying pressure to one side of the seal from a first source external to the operating system to force the seal into engagement with the door. Sensing means are provided for monitoring the pressure applied to the seal from the first pressure source. A second source of pressure is provided in the operating system and is connectable to the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Buczynski, James M. Huber, David A. Karle, Teppo Nurminen, David F. McCall
  • Publication number: 20100247388
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sterilizer having a housing defining a sterilization chamber. An opening in the housing communicates with the chamber. A surface surrounds the opening, and a door is movable between one of an open position allowing access to the chamber through the opening and a closed position covering the opening. A seal element is associated with the surface for forming a fluid-tight seal between the door and the surface when the door is in the closed position. An operating system is provided for applying pressure to one side of the seal from a first source external to the operating system to force the seal into engagement with the door. Sensing means are provided for monitoring the pressure applied to the seal from the first pressure source. A second source of pressure is provided in the operating system and is connectable to the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Peter J. Buczynski, James M. Huber, David A. Karle, Teppo Nurminen, David F. McCall
  • Publication number: 20100143218
    Abstract: The invention relates to the batch treatment of goods with gas, steam or vapor, for example sterilization and drying. The distribution of the medium surrounding the load (8) during all stages of such a process is important. According to the invention, movement of fluids within a batch treatment apparatus is achieved using a fluid ejector device (9), An apparatus for the gas, steam or vapor treatment of objects is provided, said apparatus having inside a closable chamber (1) at least one ejector device (9) of the type having a straight flow path for the secondary stream. Any particular fluid or mixture of different fluids entering the chamber during a treatment process may be introduced via an ejector device (9) in order to distribute the fluid around the load (8), or remove material deposited on the load (8). The invention eliminates the need for shaft seal arrangements involved with fans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: STERIS Europe Inc. Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventors: Teppo Nurminen, Ilkka Laitinen
  • Patent number: 7670456
    Abstract: In a multi-effect falling-film evaporator, purified water for special purposes is produced. In each effect, a steam phase and a water phase is produced from the feed water. The steam phase is used for heating in the subsequent effect, whereby it condenses to product water, and the water phase becomes the feed stream for the subsequent effect. A reject stream is removed from the process to carry off impurities separated from the water. According to the invention, a reject stream is removed from each effect. Preferably, each reject stream is a condensed fraction of the steam generated in the respective effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: STERIS Europe Inc. Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventors: Teppo Nurminen, Mauri Salmisuo
  • Patent number: 7666281
    Abstract: Purified water for special purposes is produced using a falling-film multieffect evaporator. From the feed water, each effect produces a steam phase and a water phase. The steam phase is used for heating in the subsequent evaporating step, whereby the steam phase condenses to product water, and the water phase becomes feed water for the subsequent evaporation step. According to the invention, the product water may be wholly or partly recycled to the initial feed water, allowing process startup and sterilisation of the plant without conducting hot product water to the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: STERIS Europe Inc. Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventors: Ilkka Olavi Laitinen, Teppo Nurminen, Mauri Salmisuo
  • Publication number: 20070151840
    Abstract: In a multi-effect falling-film evaporator, purified water for special purposes is produced. In each effect, a steam phase and a water phase is produced from the feed water. The steam phase is used for heating in the subsequent effect, whereby it condenses to product water, and the water phase becomes the feed stream for the subsequent effect. A reject stream is removed from the process to carry off impurities separated from the water. According to the invention, a reject stream is removed from each effect. Preferably, each reject stream is a condensed fraction of the steam generated in the respective effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Teppo Nurminen, Mauri Salmisuo
  • Publication number: 20070131532
    Abstract: Purified water for special purposes is produced using a falling-film multieffect evaporator. From the feed water, each effect produces a steam phase and a water phase. The steam phase is used for heating in the subsequent evaporating step, whereby the steam phase condenses to product water, and the water phase becomes feed water for the subsequent evaporation step. According to the invention, the product water may be wholly or partly recycled to the initial feed water, allowing process startup and sterilisation of the plant without conducting hot product water to the drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Ilkla Laitinen, Teppo Nurminen, Mauri Salmisuo
  • Patent number: 7211229
    Abstract: Continuous biowaste sterilization process, the operability of which is ensured in such a way that during process startup, extreme conditions possibly coming into question during operation are simulated, i.e. the greatest possible flow rate and the lowest temperature of the feed flow. In the startup stage, a liquid to be sterlized is circulated in the apparatus, until the capacity has been ascertained, whereafter the discharge stream can be conducted to a sewer system. The apparatus according to the invention comprises, in the flow direction of the biowaste-containing liquid, a storage tank, at least one feed pump capable of delivering a constant flow, at least one heating unit, at least one cooling unit, and a circulation circuit for circulating the biowaste-containing liquid through the heating unit, as well as connecting piping and valves. By means of specific piping and valve arrangements it is also ensured that all parts of the apparatus can be sterilized for maintenance purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Steris Europe Inc. Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventors: Riku Hälli, Juha Mattila, Teppo Nurminen, Mauri Salmisuo
  • Publication number: 20050002824
    Abstract: Continuous biowaste sterilization process, the operability of which is ensured in such a way that during process startup, extreme conditions possibly coming into question during operation are simulated i.e. the greatest possible flow rate and the lowest temperature of the feed flow. In the startup stage, a liquid to be sterlized is circulated in the apparatus, until the capacity has been ascertained, whereafter the discharge stream can be conducted to a sewer system. The apparatus according to the invention comprises, in the flow direction of the biowaste-containing liquid, a storage tank, at least one feed pump capable of delivering a constant flow, at least one heating unit, at least one cooling unit, and a circulation circuit for circulating the biowaste-containing liquid through the heating unit, as well as connecting piping and valves. By means of specific piping and valve arrangements it is also ensured that all parts of the apparatus can be sterilized for maintenance purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Riku Halli, Juha Mattila, Teppo Nurminen, Mauri Salmisuo
  • Patent number: 6485649
    Abstract: Input water is preheated in a heat exchanger (2), pumped (4) through another heat exchanger (5) into a heating unit (6). The heating unit heats the water to a temperature of above 100° C., preferably 140-150° C., while maintaining the water in a liquid state without vaporization. A pump (8) feeds the heated water under sufficient pressure to prevent vaporization to at least one crossflow filtration unit (9). A portion of the heated water passes through a thermally stable filtration material having a pore size of 1-20 nanometers for filtering endotoxins and pyrogens, 4-10 nanometers for filtering viruses, or 100 nanometers−30 &mgr;m for filtering bacteria. Heated water which has passed through the filtration material is fed through a pure water product outlet of the filtration unit to a pure water outlet (16). A retenate portion of the heated water flows past the filtration material to carry filtered impurities through a retenate output line (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Steris Europe, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorma Terävä, Teppo Nurminen
  • Patent number: 5238964
    Abstract: A method for the treatment of cerebrovascular contraction in mammals involving administration of a pharmaceutical composition containing as an effective ingredient a p-guanidinobenzoic acid derivative represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R denotes a group represented by the formula ##STR2## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Torii & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Kikuchi, Hiroji Yanamoto