Patents by Inventor Tuomo Hjelt

Tuomo Hjelt 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: 20230023213
    Abstract: The present invention relates to coated paper or paperboard comprising: a paper or paperboard substrate, and a solid closed cell foam coating layer disposed on a surface of said a paper or paperboard substrate, wherein said solid closed cell foam coating layer comprises a nanocellulose, and a foaming agent. The invention further relates to a food container, preferably a cup, comprising such coated paper or paperboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Tuomo Hjelt, Christiane Laine
  • Publication number: 20220316135
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing modified cellulose fibers for a moldable cellulose fiber based material, said method comprising: a) providing a chemical or semi-chemical wood pulp comprising cellulose fibers, and optionally subjecting the pulp to alkaline extraction to obtain an alkaline extracted pulp; and b) subjecting the pulp or the alkaline extracted pulp of step a) to a chemical treatment with an alkaline solution and/or an organic solvent to obtain a treated pulp or treated alkaline extracted pulp comprising modified cellulose fibers for a moldable cellulose fiber based material. The invention further relates to a moldable cellulose fiber based material comprising at least 70% by dry weight of modified cellulose fibers obtainable by the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Harri Setälä, Kari Kammiovirta, Christiane Laine, Ali Harlin, Tuomo Hjelt, Hanna Koskela, Jukka Ketoja
  • Publication number: 20220025147
    Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for foam assisted drying of nano- and microfibrillated cellulose, which is easily up-scalable and cost-efficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Karita Kinnunen-Raudaskoski, Tuomo Hjelt, Jani Lehmonen
  • Patent number: 10906268
    Abstract: Fiber sheets, structures comprising the fiber sheets and the use of the sheets. The invention further relates to biodegradable and/or recyclable products comprising the fiber sheets, useful in replacing non-biodegradable products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: PAPTIC LTD
    Inventors: Esa Torniainen, Tuomas Mustonen, Karita Kinnunen, Tuomo Hjelt
  • Patent number: 10701873
    Abstract: The invention relates to growing medium structures comprising Sphagnum moss, to a foam-laid method for their manufacture and to the use thereof in horticulture, landscaping and forestry applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignees: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY, LUONNONVARAKESKUS
    Inventors: Ari Erkkilä, Kirsi Immonen, Karita Kinnunen, Antti Oksanen, Risto Tahvonen, Liisa Särkkä, Juha Näkkilä, Tuomo Hjelt, Kari Jokinen
  • Publication number: 20200086601
    Abstract: Fiber sheets, structures comprising the fiber sheets and the use of the sheets. The invention further relates to biodegradable and/or recyclable products comprising the fiber sheets, useful in replacing non-biodegradable products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Esa TORNIAINEN, Tuomas MUSTONEN, Karita KINNUNEN, Tuomo HJELT
  • Patent number: 10479044
    Abstract: The invention relates to fiber sheets, to structures comprising the fiber sheets and to the use of the sheets. The invention further relates to biodegradable and/or recyclable products comprising the fiber sheets, useful in replacing non-biodegradable products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: PAPTIC LTD
    Inventors: Esa Torniainen, Tuomas Mustonen, Karita Kinnunen, Tuomo Hjelt
  • Patent number: 10449694
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for producing a thermoformable porous web using a mixture of cellulosic fibers and one or more thermoplastic materials, particularly by foam forming said mixture into a composite foam, and applying the foam into one or more layers on a support to obtain a porous pre-form web. The thus produced porous composite web can be further processed by compression molding to give a rigid high-strength composite structure, which is suitable for use in producing, e.g. panels or plates, packages or hygiene products, insulators or filters, or printed intelligence, electronics or microcellulose products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventors: Antti Ojala, Kalle Nättinen, Lisa Wikström, Hannu Minkkinen, Petri Jetsu, Jani Lehmonen, Karita Kinnunen, Tuomo Hjelt
  • Patent number: 10364533
    Abstract: A hydrophobically sized fibrous web layer, preparation of a fibrous web or a fiber-based coating, a multilayer board product having at least a middle layer formed of said fibrous web, as well as use of a heat-sensitive surfactant for said methods and products, whereby microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and hydrophobic size are brought to a foam with water and the heat-sensitive surfactant, the foam is supplied to a forming fabric of a paper or board machine, dewatered by suction of air through the forming fabric, and dried to a web product. Alternatively the foam may be supplied onto a premade fibrous web and dried to form a coating layer. The hydrophilic functionality of the surfactant contained in the web may be destroyed by heating. Pulp of a greater fiber length, such as CTMP, may be included, to provide improved wet and dry tensile strength for the paper and board products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: STORA ENSO OYJ
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Karita Kinnunen, Tuomo Hjelt
  • Publication number: 20170362775
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of thermoplastic fibrous materials comprising forming at least one foamed liquid comprising water and at least one foaming agent, forming a dispersion by dispersing fibers including long fibers in said at least one foamed liquid comprising water and at least one foaming agent, mixing the dispersion with a foamable liquid or dispersion comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, forming at least one foamed dispersion, and conveying the foamed dispersion or dispersions to a foraminous support and draining liquid trough the foraminous support to form a web or a sheet, to obtain the thermoplastic fibrous material. The invention also relates to materials and products obtainable by the method, and uses related thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
    Inventors: Marja JUVONEN, Tuomo HJELT, Jukka KETOJA, Ali HARLIN
  • Publication number: 20170335522
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrophobically sized fibrous web layer, methods for the preparation of a fibrous web or a fibre-based coating, a multilayer board product having at least a middle layer formed of said fibrous web, as well as use of a heat-sensitive surfactant for said methods and products. According to the method microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and hydrophobic size are brought to a foam with water and the heat-sensitive surfactant, the foam is supplied to a forming fabric of a paper or board machine, dewatered by suction of air through the forming fabric, and dried to a web product. Alternatively the foam may be supplied onto a premade fibrous web and dried to form a coating layer. To prevent gradual degradation of the hydrophobic sizing the hydrophilic functionality of the surfactant contained in the web is finally destroyed by heating. The method uses e.g. AKD-based surfactants with a hydrophilic moiety, which decompose is decomposed by heat, may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Karita Kinnunen, Tuomo Hjelt
  • Publication number: 20170260694
    Abstract: The invention relates to fiber sheets, to structures comprising the fiber sheets and to the use of the sheets. The invention further relates to biodegradable and/or recyclable products comprising the fiber sheets, useful in replacing non-biodegradable products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Esa TORNIAINEN, Tuomas MUSTONEN, Karita KINNUNEN, Tuomo HJELT
  • Patent number: 9663901
    Abstract: A hydrophobically sized fibrous web layer, preparation of a fibrous web or a fiber-based coating, a multilayer board product having at least a middle layer formed of said fibrous web, as well as use of a heat-sensitive surfactant for said methods and products, whereby microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and hydrophobic size are brought to a foam with water and the heat-sensitive surfactant, the foam is supplied to a forming fabric of a paper or board machine, dewatered by suction of air through the forming fabric, and dried to a web product. Alternatively the foam may be supplied onto a premade fibrous web and dried to form a coating layer. The hydrophilic functionality of the surfactant contained in the web may be destroyed by heating. Pulp of a greater fiber length, such as CTMP, may be included, to provide improved wet and dry tensile strength for the paper and board products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: STORA ENSO OYJ
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Karita Kinnunen, Tuomo Hjelt
  • Patent number: 9482381
    Abstract: Mineral wool pipe insulation, the mineral wool thereof includes a mix of mineral wool fibers and at least a curable binder being cured. The pipe insulation includes at least two separate elongated partial sections of mineral wool that are inter-connectable to each other around a pipe or container to form an insulation layer encompassing the pipe or container. Each separate partial section being inter-connectable by being provided with interconnecting means along at least two thickness-wise edges thereof. A method of manufacturing mineral wool pipe insulation includes forming each separate partial section of mineral wool by sawing or cutting from a cured block of mineral wool, or by curing a mixture of loose mineral wool fibers and a curable binder in a mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: PAROC GROUP OY
    Inventor: Tuomo Hjelt
  • Publication number: 20160229088
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for producing a thermoformable porous web using a mixture of cellulosic fibres and one or more thermoplastic materials, particularly by foam forming said mixture into a composite foam, and applying the foam into one or more layers on a support to obtain a porous pre-form web. The thus produced porous composite web can be further processed by compression moulding to give a rigid high-strength composite structure, which is suitable for use in producing, e.g. panels or plates, packages or hygiene products, insulators or filters, or printed intelligence, electronics or microcellulose products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Antti Ojala, Kalle Nättinen, Lisa Wikström, Hannu Minkkinen, Petri Jetsu, Jani Lehmonen, Karita Kinnunnen, Tuomo Hjelt
  • Publication number: 20160219810
    Abstract: The invention relates to growing medium structures comprising Sphagnum moss, to a foam-laid method for their manufacture and to the use thereof in horticulture, landscaping and forestry applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicants: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY, LUONNONVARAKESKUS
    Inventors: Ari ERKKILÄ, Kirsi IMMONEN, Karita KINNUNEN, Antti OKSANEN, Risto TAHVONEN, Liisa SÄRKKÄ, Juha NÄKKILÄ, Tuomo HJELT, Kari JOKINEN
  • Patent number: 9334610
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fibrous web product such as paper, and a method for the preparation of such fibrous web. According to the method microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) together with a pulp of a greater fiber length, such as chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP), are mixed with a foam of water and a sur-factant, the foam is supplied to a forming fabric of a paper or board machine, dewatered by suction of air through the forming fabric, and dried to the final web product. The method brings a high bulk in combination with a high Scott bond value, to provide improved wet and dry tensile strength for the paper and board products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Karita Kinnunen, Tuomo Hjelt
  • Patent number: 9267237
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing nanostructured paper or board and a novel paper or board. The method comprises providing a liquid suspension of nanocellulose-containing material, forming a web from the suspension, and drying the web in order to form paper or board. According to the invention the water content of the suspension from which the web is formed is 50% or less by weight of liquids. By means of the invention, energy consumption of paper manufacturing can be significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignees: UPM-Kymmene Corporation, STORA ENSO OYJ
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Hentze, Jenni Sievanen, John Kettle, Artem Kulachenko, Antti Korpela, Jukka Ketoja, Erkki Hellen, Tuomo Hjelt, Jaakko Hiltunen, Eila Turunen, Asko Sneck
  • Publication number: 20150284911
    Abstract: A moldable fibrous product, includes foam-formed fibrous material selected from fibrous webs, paper webs, board webs, or sheets cut from any of the webs, at least one polymer selected from carbohydrate derivatives, polylactic acid, polyurethane and polyolefins impregnated in the web, and from 0.001 to 0.1% by weight of at least one foaming agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Marja Juvonen, Jaakko Hiltunen, Petri Jetsu, Marie Gestranius, Ali Harlin, Vesa Kunnari, Jouni Lattu, Karita Kinnunen, Tuomo Hjelt, Ilkka Nurminen, Erkki Saharainen, Henna Lampinen
  • Publication number: 20150114581
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fibrous web product such as paper, and a method for the preparation of such fibrous web. According to the method microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) together with a pulp of a greater fibre length, such as chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP), are mixed with a foam of water and a sur-factant, the foam is supplied to a forming fabric of a paper or board machine, dewatered by suction of air through the forming fabric, and dried to the final web product. The method brings a high bulk in combination with a high Scott bond value, to provide improved wet and dry tensile strength for the paper and board products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Karita Kinnunen, Tuomo Hjelt