Device for sterilizing closures for containers

摘要

An apparatus for sterilizing cap-like container closures includes a transport system for moving closures through treatment zones. The first zone preheats the closures, the second exposes them to a sterilizing agent, and the third activates or dries them. The first and third zones each have a rotor that circulates about a rotor axis thereof, and closure holders formed on a periphery thereof for moving closures through the first zone from a closure pickup disposed therein to a first closure delivery position, and through the third zone from a second closure delivery position disposed therein to a closure discharge. The second treatment zone is between the first and second closure delivery positions such that closures delivered to the first position, after passing the second zone and after exposure to the sterilizing agent, are passed on to a closure holder ready at the second position of the rotor in the third zone.

主权项

1. An apparatus for sterilizing cap-like closures for containers, said apparatus comprising a transport system for moving said closures through at least three treatment zones, said at least three treatment zones comprising a first treatment zone in which said closures are preheated, a second treatment zone in which said closures are exposed to a sterilizing agent, and a third treatment zone in which said closures are at least one of activated and dried in a drying medium selected from a group consisting of a sterile gaseous medium, a vaporous medium, and sterile air, wherein said first and third treatment zones each comprise a rotor that can be driven to circulate about a rotor axis thereof, and a multiplicity of closure holders formed on a periphery of each of said rotors for moving closures through said first treatment zone from a closure pickup disposed therein to a first closure delivery position, and through said third treatment zone from a second closure delivery position disposed therein to a closure discharge, and wherein said second treatment zone is disposed between said first and second closure delivery positions such that closures delivered to said first closure delivery position, after passing said second treatment zone and after exposure to said sterilizing agent, are passed on to a closure holder ready at said second closure delivery position of said rotor in said third treatment zone, wherein at least one of said rotors is formed as a hollow drum with a cage-like drum casing formed by a multiplicity of closure holders.