Patent ID: 8845962
Filing Date: 2014-09-30
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
1. A process for sterilization of natural products using dry superheated steam without negatively effecting the properties of the final product comprising the steps of: providing a dry steam sterilization apparatus comprising a sterilization chamber, a steam generator and a steam drying chamber; providing one or more samples comprising one or more natural products for sterilization before they can be used by manufacturers and/or consumers; placing the one or more samples in a steam permeable container; placing the steam permeable container in the sterilization chamber; heating the sterilization chamber to a predetermined temperature; controlling the predetermined temperature; pressurizing the sterilization chamber to a predetermined pressure; pulling a vacuum for a predetermined length of time and pressure; controlling the predetermined pressure; producing a steam supply with the steam generator superheating the steam supply to produce a superheated steam; passing the superheated steam through the steam drying chamber to produce a dry superheated steam; supplying an amount of the superheated dry steam to the sterilization chamber; and controlling an application time for the heating, the pressurizing and the supplying the amount of the superheated dry steam to achieve at least partial sterilization of the one or more samples.