Abstract: An apparatus (1) for sterilizing container closures comprises a conduit (2) defining a passage for the closure and having a wall (3) surrounding the passage, spraying means (4) for injecting inside the conduit (2) a sterilization fluid heated and vaporized, drying means for introducing hot air in the conduit (2) and means for heating the wall (3) of the conduit (2) operatively coupled thereto. A method for sterilizing container closures transported inside a conduit (2) having a wall (3) defining internally a passage for the closures comprises the steps of injecting inside the conduit (2) a sterilization fluid heated and vaporized, introducing hot air in the conduit (2) for drying the closures and heating the wall (3) of the conduit (2) by transferring heat directly to the conduit wall (3).

Abstract: A cap transfer unit (1) comprising a cap transfer line (8) defining a transfer path (5) from a cap loading area (4) to a cap discharge area (6), and a cap pusher (16) slidingly mounted along the cap transfer line (8), the cap pusher (16) having a rest position in which the cap pusher (16) is spaced from the transfer path (5), and an active position in which the cap pusher (16) overlaps at least partially the transfer path (5) for coming into abutment with caps (2) located therein.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for sterilizing container closures comprises a conduit (2) defining a passage for the closure and having a wall (3) surrounding the passage, spraying means (4) for injecting inside the conduit (2) a sterilization fluid heated and vaporized, drying means for introducing hot air in the conduit (2) and means for heating the wall (3) of the conduit (2) operatively coupled thereto. A method for sterilizing container closures transported inside a conduit (2) having a wall (3) defining internally a passage for the closures comprises the steps of injecting inside the conduit (2) a sterilization fluid heated and vaporized, introducing hot air in the conduit (2) for drying the closures and heating the wall (3) of the conduit (2) by transferring heat directly to the conduit wall (3).

Abstract: A cap transfer unit (1) comprising a cap transfer line (8) defining a transfer path (5) from a cap loading area (4) to a cap discharge area (6), and a cap pusher (16) slidingly mounted along the cap transfer line (8), the cap pusher (16) having a rest position in which the cap pusher (16) is spaced from the transfer path (5), and an active position in which the cap pusher (16) overlaps at least partially the transfer path (5) for coming into abutment with caps (2) located therein.