Bulk decontamination and degermination of materials in a sub-atmospheric saturated steam environment
US6800246B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 5, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L2/24
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for significantly reducing the biological load on consumer products such as food products, spices, produce, botanicals, cosmetic ingredients, barrels, pallets, crates, birdseed and medical products is disclosed. The method involves applying a continuous stream of saturated steam to a material in a sealed biological burden reduction chamber. The continuous stream of saturated steam is created in said chamber by correlating a desired temperature to pressure based on the use of Saturated Steam Tables. The apparatus includes: (a) a bioburden reduction chamber; (b) a temperature controller; (c) an air injection system; (d) a steam injection system; and (e) an evacuation system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.