Feeding station for decontamination of containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a feed station (1) for the decontamination of containers (2), comprising a tunnel formed by a plurality of treatment chambers (11-13) arranged consecutively next to one another in a container conveying direction (T) and in which conveying means (21a, 21b) are arranged, characterized in that the containers (2) are conveyed by introducing air, gas or vapour. Each process chamber is subjected to an internal pressure above atmospheric pressure and is delimited at its inlet and outlet by a respective partition movable between a pass-through position, in which the partition keeps open a respective passage opening (161) of the container (2), and a position for maintaining the internal pressure, in which the partition keeps open the respective passage opening (161) of the container (2). The passage opening (161) is reduced so as to allow the air, gas or vapor to be drawn towards the outside through the remaining opening (162).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a feeding station for decontaminating substantially identical containers which are fed continuously to a subsequent aseptic treatment station, such as a chamber for treatment in a controlled atmosphere (also called an "isolator"), or to an aseptic filling line, such as an aseptic filling line for pharmaceutical products, or to a station for aseptic insertion of other vessels into the containers.

[0002] A container particularly suitable for use with the feeder station according to the invention is a "nest" or "tub", i.e. a tray or tub which contains or is suitable for containing smaller vessels (e.g. vials, bottles, ampoules, cartridges, carpules®, test tubes and / or syringes) before and / or after filling (preferably in an ordered and stable manner). Other possible containers suitable for use with the feeder station according to the invention are sterile bags.

[0003] It is currently known to provide containers such as nests or barrels, which have been decontaminated and isolated in a sealed primary bag, which is in turn inserted into a sealed secondary bag. To introduce such a container into an aseptic processing line or station, an operator manually removes the secondary bag and hangs the primary bag (which encloses the container) on a rack. The robot then cuts the primary bag and, while using special jaws to keep the mouth still sealed, brings the primary bag to the entrance of the sterile isolator, where the container is finally introduced, sliding it out of the primary bag.

[0004] A disadvantage of this conventional solution is the fact that two bags are required to isolate the container before it is introduced into the aseptic processing station. This, in addition to increasing costs and complicating the production of these double-bag packages, also reduces the production speed of the aseptic processing line or station where the containers are introduced. Usually, using the above-mentioned technology, two containers can be fed to the aseptic processing station per minute, although the fact is that the station can actually work at a higher production speed.

[0005] Furthermore, the above-described “contactless” unbagging operation using robots is particularly complex, so much so that this has a significant impact on the layout of the plant, considering that the dimensions of the equipment that needs to be provided, in particular for unbagging the containers, actually exceed the dimensions of the downstream aseptic processing stations (e.g. the stations that carry out the filling).

[0006] Furthermore, in the above conventional solutions, there are still risks associated with the unpacking operation, such as contamination of the cleanroom where the process takes place or the actual container being transported.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a feeding station for feeding decontaminated containers to an aseptic processing station or an aseptic processing line which is able to improve the known art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.

[0008] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to make it possible to increase the productivity of an aseptic processing station or an aseptic processing line.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to avoid the use of at least an outermost bag (auxiliary bag) to seal the container before it is introduced into an aseptic processing station or aseptic processing line.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the background art in a way that replaces any existing solutions.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a feeder station that is highly reliable, easy to implement and has low cost.

[0012] This object and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a feeder station according to claim 1 , optionally provided with one or more of the features of the dependent claims.

[0013] According to the invention, a feeding station for decontaminating substantially identical containers as they are fed continuously toward a subsequent station or line for aseptic processing comprises a tunnel formed by a plurality of treatment chambers arranged continuously side by side along a conveying direction of the containers, in which a conveying device is arranged and is suitable for conveying the containers through the treatment chambers along the conveying direction, characterized in that each treatment chamber is subjected to an internal pressure higher than atmospheric pressure by the introduction of air, gas or vapor, and that at its inlet and at its outlet the treatment chambers are delimited by corresponding partitions which can be moved between a crossing position in which the partitions keep open the corresponding channel openings of the containers and a position for maintaining the internal pressure in which the channel openings are reduced in order to allow the air, gas or vapor to be sucked through the remaining openings toward the outside of the treatment chamber in order to maintain the internal pressure.

[0014] The objects and goals of the present invention are also achieved by an aseptic processing line, which includes a loading line or an inlet for loading containers, a feeding station arranged downstream of the loading line to receive the containers from the loading line or the inlet, and an aseptic processing station arranged downstream of the feeding station to receive decontaminated containers, the aseptic processing station including at least one component for filling the containers.

[0015] The objects and aims of the invention are also achieved by a method for decontaminating containers for pharmaceutical products as they are conveyed through a feeding station towards an aseptic processing station or an aseptic processing line, the feeding station comprising a tunnel defined by a plurality of processing chambers arranged successively between an inlet and an outlet along a conveying direction, each processing chamber being delimited by a respective partition respectively upstream and downstream with respect to said conveying direction, the method comprising the following steps: subjecting each processing chamber to an internal pressure above atmospheric pressure by introducing air, gas or vapor; arranging the partition in a passthrough position so as to keep the corresponding passage opening open when the container is advanced through the respective passage opening in the conveying direction; placing the baffle in a position for maintaining the internal pressure so as to reduce the passage opening to a remaining opening when the container is held in the corresponding chamber, the position for maintaining the internal pressure preventing the container from advancing or passing but allowing the air, gas or vapor to be drawn from the corresponding processing chamber to the outside so as to maintain the internal pressure in the corresponding chamber; The air, gas or vapor is sucked from the corresponding processing chamber to the outside by suction so as to maintain the internal pressure within the corresponding chamber.

[0016] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment of a feeder station according to the invention, which is illustrated for the purpose of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a feeder station according to the present invention, wherein the side panels have been removed to show the interior of the tunnel; Figure 2 is a side view of the feed station of the preceding figure, with some parts removed for clarity; Figure 3 is another perspective view of the feed station of the previous figure, seen from the side of the transmission; Figure 4 is a detail from below of the conveyor device used in the feed station of the previous figure; Figure 5 Shown in the through position Figure 1 an outlet partition of one of the process chambers of a feed station; Figure 6 The diaphragm of the preceding figure is shown, but in a position for maintaining internal pressure; Figure 7a is a front elevation view of the bulkhead in the through position; Figure 7b is a detail of the view of the preceding figure, which also shows the body of the container in a plane at right angles to the conveying direction; Figure 8 is in a position to maintain pressure Figure 7a A front view of a partition; Fig. 9 Shows from Figure 1 a flow pumped by a processing chamber of a feed station; Fig.10 is a detailed view of a series of annular distribution units of one of the processing chambers of the previous figures.

[0017] With reference to the accompanying drawings, a feeding station according to the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 1, is suitable for decontamination of containers 2 substantially identical to one another, in particular containers for pharmaceutical products, which are fed or conveyed one after another, successively and in the same orientation to a subsequent aseptic processing station or aseptic processing line 100, such as a chamber for processing in a controlled atmosphere (also called an "isolator"). The aseptic processing station 100 may include components for filling the containers.

[0018] In the example shown, the containers 2 are barrels, i.e. the above-mentioned barrels characteristic of the pharmaceutical industry, and they are identical to each other in shape and size. However, the feeding station 1 can be easily adapted to the decontamination of other containers, as long as they are substantially identical to each other and are fed in a line with the same orientation relative to the conveying direction T. The containers 2 can be supplied individually, decontaminated and in a single corresponding sealed bag (to be opened before the container is introduced into the feeding station 1), without the need for an auxiliary bag to accommodate the single corresponding sealed bag. The containers 2 can be made of, for example, polymer material, glass or metal.

[0019] The feed station 1 comprises a loading inlet or loading line 10, such as a conveyor belt 20 or a motorized roller conveyor, and a tunnel formed by a plurality of processing chambers 11, 12, 13, which are arranged side by side in a row along a conveying direction T of the containers 2 and are hermetically closed around the entire conveying direction T. Inside the processing chambers 11-13 are conveying means, which are suitable for conveying the containers 2 in a continuous motion along the tunnel in the conveying direction T and which will be described below.

[0020] By introducing air, gas or vapor into the process chambers 11 , 12 , 13 , each process chamber is maintained at an internal pressure higher than atmospheric pressure.

[0021] Such an internal pressure is preferably lower than the pressure inside the aseptic processing station 100 downstream of the feeding station 1 , in order to prevent any flow of contaminating agents towards the aseptic processing station 100 .

[0022] In particular, the overpressure applied in the process chambers 11, 12, 13 relative to atmospheric pressure may be less than 100 Pascals, for example less than 25 Pascals. For example, the pressure in each of the process chambers 11, 12, 13 is maintained at a value of overpressure relative to atmospheric pressure comprised between 8 Pascals and 20 Pascals, more preferably between 10 Pascals and 15 Pascals above atmospheric pressure. In the embodiment shown, the overpressure in the process chambers 11 and 12 may be about 10 Pascals, while the overpressure in the process chamber 13 may be about 15 Pascals, and the overpressure in the isolator 100 may be 25 Pascals.

[0023] Preferably, the processing chamber consists of a first preparation chamber 11 , a second decontamination chamber 12 (eg using vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP)), and a third rinsing chamber 13 .

[0024] Air is introduced into the preparation chamber 11 under pressure, such air being conveniently heated (and filtered) to increase the surface temperature of the containers 2 and thus prevent condensation of the decontamination agent (e.g. VHP) in the subsequent decontamination chamber 12. The air may be introduced from a respective air inlet 34 connected to the discharge of a respective pump (not shown) and may be distributed within the treatment chamber 11 using a plurality of annular distribution units 31 connected to the inlet 34 and arranged side by side along the conveying direction T so as to surround the conveying means 21a-21b of the containers 2. Each distribution unit 31 has holes or nozzles 37 around the entire conveying direction T, i.e. around the entire conveying means, which are adapted to continuously eject hot air in a direction substantially transverse to the conveying direction T so as to sweep over the containers 2 in transit.

[0025] Then, a decontaminating agent (gas or vapor) is introduced under pressure into the decontamination chamber 12 in order to decontaminate the surface of the container 2 arriving from the preparation chamber 11. The decontaminating agent is preferably VHP (with a concentration comprised between 3000 ppm and 20000 ppm), but alternatively, a decontaminating gas such as nitrogen dioxide or chlorine dioxide may be used.

[0026] There are also a plurality of annular distribution units 32 in the chamber 12, which are connected to the gas inlet 35 for the decontamination gas or decontamination vapor and are arranged side by side along the conveying direction T so as to surround the conveying direction T, i.e. the conveying means 21a-21b for conveying the containers 2 in the chamber 12. Each distribution unit 32 has holes or nozzles 37 around the entire conveying means 21a-21b, which are suitable for continuously spraying the decontamination gas or vapor in a direction substantially transverse to the conveying direction T so as to completely sweep the surface of the container 2 passing through.

[0027] Air under pressure, for example hot air, is introduced into the flushing chamber 13 to remove residues of the detergent from the surface of the containers 2 arriving from the decontamination chamber 12. In the chamber 13 there are also a plurality of annular distribution units 33 connected to an air inlet 36 for air and arranged side by side along the conveying direction T so as to surround the conveying means 21a-21b for conveying the containers 2 in the chamber 13. Each distribution unit 33 has holes or nozzles 37 around the entire conveying direction T, i.e. around the entire conveying means 21a-21b, which are suitable for continuously ejecting air in a direction substantially transverse to the conveying direction T so as to completely sweep over the surface of the containers 2 passing through.

[0028] Upstream and downstream of each treatment chamber 11, 12, 13 there are suction vents 41, 42, 43, 44 suitable for extracting by suction (preferably continuously) the air or vapour ejected by the dispensing unit 31, 32, 33 and thus for keeping the overpressure of each treatment chamber 11, 12, 13 substantially constant. For the flushing chamber 13, the suction vent 44 may open directly into the chamber 13, while the other vents 41-43 open into areas of the tunnel outside the treatment chambers 11-12. This avoids the situation where the extracted flow could dilute the agent (e.g. VHP, as described below) used in one or more treatment chambers.

[0029] Between one processing chamber 11, 12 and the next processing chamber 12, 13, respectively, along the conveying direction T, there is preferably a corresponding intermediate chamber 15, 16, which leads to a corresponding one of the vents 42 and 43, which are used to draw air or vapor from the processing chamber upstream and / or downstream of the corresponding intermediate chamber 15, 16.

[0030] At the inlet and outlet of each treatment chamber 11, 12, 13 along the conveying direction T, there are respective partitions which can be moved, preferably vertically at right angles to the conveying direction T of the containers 2. In particular, the preparation chamber 11 is delimited at the inlet and outlet by movable partitions 111b and 112b, respectively. The decontamination chamber 12 and the rinsing chamber 13 are also delimited by movable partitions 121b-122b and 131b-132b, respectively.

[0031] The partitions 111b-112b, 121b-122b and 131b-132b can be moved between a through position of the container, in which the corresponding passage opening 161 for the container 2 is open, and a position for maintaining the internal pressure of the chamber (i.e., the overpressure generated therein), in which the above-mentioned passage opening 161 is reduced and preferably not completely closed by at least one movable partition for each process chamber 11-13. In this way, in the pressure-maintaining position of the movable partition, air or vapor can be continuously sucked from the interior of the respective process chamber 11, 12, 13 through the vents 41-43 located outside the process chamber to the outside of the tunnel through the remaining openings 162, so as to keep the internal pressure of each process chamber substantially constant.

[0032] The movement of the partitions 111b-112b, 121b-122b and 131b-132b between the two aforementioned positions is commanded by automatic detection of the passage of each container 2, obtained for example using a laser, and by actuation means each associated with a respective one of the movable partitions.

[0033] The actuation means may be provided by an actuation cylinder 27 fixed in a box beside the tunnel and a lever system for raising / lowering the respective movable partitions 111b-112b, 121b-122b, 131b-132b. The piston of the actuation cylinder 27 is hinged on a first lever 28, for example a rocker arm, which pivots about the axis of rotation A. A second lever 29b arranged in the tunnel is connected with its one end to the first lever 28 via a transmission shaft 29a coaxial with the axis of rotation A, so that the rotation of the first lever 28 caused by the linear movement of the piston of the cylinder 27 is rigidly transmitted to the second lever 29b. The second end of the second lever 29b is connected to the respective movable partitions 111b-112b, 121b-122b, 131b-132b, so that the rotation of the second lever 29b is converted into a vertical translation of the movable partition between the passing position and the position for maintaining the internal pressure. For example, there may be a slot protruding from the movable partition, and the second end of the lever 29b engages in the slot via a wheel.

[0034] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the channel opening 161 which is alternately opened and partially blocked by the corresponding movable partitions 111b-112b, 121b-122b, 131b-132b can be defined by an opening, which is arranged in the corresponding fixed walls 111a, 121a, 131a at the entrance of each processing chamber 11, 12, 13 and the corresponding fixed walls 112a, 122a, 132a at the outlet of each processing chamber 11, 12, 13, and the opening can be passed through by each container 2 during transportation.

[0035] The opening on each of the fixed walls 111a-112a, 121a-122a, 131a-132a has a shape that is substantially complementary to the lateral space occupancy of the container 2 relative to the conveying direction T, so that when the container 2 passes through the opening, the channel opening 161 is reduced due to the lateral space occupancy of the container 2 in passage.

[0036] Advantageously, when the channel opening 161 is reduced by the corresponding partitions 111b-112b, 121b-122b, 131b-132b in a position for maintaining internal pressure, the area of ​​the planar gap 163 between the edge of the channel opening 161 and the container 2 passing through the channel opening 161 is substantially equal to the area of ​​the remaining opening 162 of the channel opening 161.

[0037] In this way, at each entrance and exit of each process chamber 11-13, immediately before and after the passage of each container 2, the movable partition returns to the position for maintaining pressure, while during the passage of the container through the passage opening 161, it is the container 2 itself that partially blocks the passage opening 161, so as not to significantly depressurize the process chamber it enters or leaves. The container 2 partially blocking the passage opening 161 will leave a gap 163 that still allows air or vapor to be sucked through the vents 41-43 in order to maintain the internal pressure.

[0038] For this reason, the containers 2 are inserted at the entrance 20 of the tunnel in a row (i.e. one after another along the conveying direction T) and in the same predetermined orientation, so that the area of ​​the above-mentioned gap 163 around the containers remains substantially constant for all containers 2 in the passage and can be determined in order to also define the area of ​​the remaining opening 162.

[0039] Each of the movable partitions 111b-112b, 121b-122b, 131b-132b advantageously has a U-shaped recess and can be moved at right angles to the conveying direction T so that the remaining opening 162 of the passage opening is at least partially delimited by the edge 160 of the U-shaped recess. Since the movable partitions (111b-112b, 121b-122b, 131b-132b) having such a U-shaped recess result in having a substantially "U" shape, the U-shaped recess will also be referred to as a "U-shaped opening". In particular, each movable partition 111b-112b, 121b-122b, 131b-132b can slide in a position parallel to and adjacent to a corresponding one of the fixed walls 111a-112a, 121a-122a, 131a-132a, so that the remaining opening 162 of the passage opening 161 is partially defined by the edge 160 of the U-shaped recess and partially defined by the edge of the opening of the fixed walls 111a-112a, 121a-122a, 131a-132a that define the passage opening 161, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 shown.

[0040] In order to guide the vertical sliding of each movable partition, there may be a vertical fixed guide rail 151 associated with the corresponding fixed wall 111a-112a, 121a-122a, 131a-132a, and a guide roller 152 mounted on the movable partition 111b-112b, 121b-122b, 131b-132b and engaged on the vertical guide rail 151.

[0041] According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the conveying device for conveying the containers 2 through the tunnel comprises roller conveyors 21a, 21b, wherein rollers are arranged in each treatment chamber 11-13 alternately with distribution units 31, 32, 33 along the conveying direction T. Preferably, between each pair of rollers there is a respective annular distribution unit 31, 32, 33.

[0042] The rollers 21a, 21b can be moved by means of a sprocket-and-chain system, in which a respective sprocket 24 keyed to one end of each roller 21a, 21b meshes with a transmission chain 25 which is common to all sprockets 24 and is driven by a motor 26. The sprockets 24, chains 25 and motors 26 are mounted in the same box on the side of the tunnel, in which the means for actuating the movable partitions and the connecting pipes between the dispensing units 31-33 and the inlets 34-36 are mounted.

[0043] Each roller 21a, 21b comprises a cylindrical enlargement 22a-23a, 22b-23b coaxial with the roller and suitable for engaging by friction the bottom surface of each container 2 so as to advance the container along the conveying direction T. For example, the cylindrical enlargements 22a-23a, 22b-23b may be surrounded by respective O-rings or by another material suitable for not causing slippage on the lower surface of the container 2. In the embodiment shown, each roller comprises two cylindrical enlargements spaced apart from each other along the axis of the roller.

[0044] Advantageously, the cylindrical expansions 22a-23a, 22b-23b are staggered along the conveying direction T so that during conveying, the same portion of the lower surface of the container 2 is not always engaged by the cylindrical expansion. In this way, the entire lower surface of the container 2 can be effectively decontaminated without any portion being always hidden by the conveying device.

[0045] In the embodiment shown, each roller 21a differs from the rollers 21b immediately upstream and downstream in the mutual distance between the cylindrical enlargements 22a-23a, 22b-23b. Obviously, other staggered arrangements of the cylindrical enlargements are also possible, such as the same distance between the cylindrical enlargements of the same roller, but with different axial positions between one roller 21a and the immediately adjacent roller 21b.

[0046] From the foregoing description, the operation of the feeder station according to the present invention is apparent.

[0047] The containers 2 are placed successively one after another in a row on the loading entrance 20 by an operator or a robot after being taken out of the respective bags containing them. The orientation of the containers 2 on the entrance 20 is the same and is maintained along the entire tunnel of the feeding station 1. Optionally, side guiding shoulders (e.g. plates 38 protruding inwards on opposite sides of each of the annular dispensing units 31-33) may be provided along the tunnel to keep the containers 2 in the correct orientation so that the (cross-sectional) profile of the containers complements the (cross-sectional) profile of the passage opening 161 as they pass through.

[0048] In all treatment chambers 11-13, the overpressure is maintained by continuous introduction of air (into chambers 11 and 13) and decontamination gas or vapor (into chamber 12) and continuous outflow through corresponding vents 41-44. The containers 2 are advanced in a continuous movement in the direction T along the entire tunnel by continuous rotation of the rollers 21a-21b.

[0049] When each container 2 arrives before the fixed wall 111a-121a-131a for entering each processing chamber 11-13 and before the fixed wall 112a-122a-132a for leaving each processing chamber 11-13, the (laser) sensor detects the passage of the container 2 and commands the corresponding movable partition 111b-121b-131b or 112b-122b-132b to move to the passing position. During the passage of the container 2, the contoured opening (i.e. the corresponding channel opening 161) of the fixed wall 111a-121a-131a or 112a-122a-132a passed through is substantially filled with the lateral space occupied by the container 2, leaving a gap 163 and thus keeping the internal pressure of the corresponding processing chamber entered / exited by the container 2 substantially constant relative to the previous situation (i.e. the situation where the corresponding partition 111b-121b-131b or 112b-122b-132b is in a position for maintaining pressure).

[0050] Once the container 2 has completely passed through the opening of each fixed wall, the corresponding movable partition 111b-121b-131b or 112b-122b-132b is returned to the position for maintaining pressure again by means of detection using a passage sensor, such as a laser sensor.

[0051] During passage through each processing chamber 11-13, the container 2 will undergo surface heating (chamber 11), decontamination (chamber 12) and rinsing (chamber 13). The length of each processing chamber and the speed of continuous transport are conveniently selected based on the time required for the container to remain in the corresponding chamber to perform the corresponding function.

[0052] Optionally, in order to remove plastic residues or other residues of the containers, at the end of the decontamination of the plurality of containers 2, all the chambers can be cleaned with water jets or other detergents, for example by having at the bottom of each chamber 11-15 a cleaning nozzle connected to a source of water (or other washing liquid) under pressure so as to spray water jets or other detergents into the interior of the corresponding chamber when the chamber is not in operation or is under overpressure.

[0053] In practice, it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aims and objects. The feed station according to the invention enables continuous production at higher speeds (e.g. 6 containers per minute), in particular by virtue of the fact that the tunnel constitutes an open system in which the process chambers are always connected to each other, albeit with variable channel openings.

[0054] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, all the details may be replaced by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0055] In practice, the materials employed (provided they are compatible with the specific use) and the dimensions and shapes which vary from case to case may be any, according to requirements and the state of the art.

[0056] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102022000017385 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0057] In case technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, these reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and therefore, these reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by these reference signs by way of example.

Claims

1. A feeding station (1) for decontaminating containers (2) for pharmaceutical products as they are conveyed towards an aseptic processing station or aseptic processing line (100), the feeding station (1) comprising: A tunnel formed by a plurality of process chambers (11-13) arranged in series between an inlet and an outlet along a conveying direction (T); a conveying device (21a, 21b) adapted to convey the container through the process chambers (11-13) along the conveying direction (T), wherein each process chamber is configured to be subjected to an internal pressure higher than atmospheric pressure by the introduction of air, gas or vapor, each process chamber being delimited by respective partitions (111b-112b, 121b-122b, 131b-132b) respectively upstream and downstream relative to the conveying direction (T), characterized in that The partition (111b-112b, 121b-122b, 131b-132b) is capable of moving between a passing position and a position for maintaining the internal pressure, in which the partition keeps the corresponding channel opening (161) open so as to allow the container (2) to pass through the channel opening (161), and in the position for maintaining the internal pressure, the channel opening (161) is reduced to a remaining opening (162), which prevents the container (2) from passing through but allows the air, gas or vapor to be sucked from the corresponding processing chamber to the outside so as to maintain the internal pressure in the corresponding chamber.

2. The feeding station according to claim 1, wherein: The passage opening (161) is arranged on the corresponding fixed wall (111a-112a, 121a-122a, 131a-132a) and has a shape that is substantially complementary to the transverse profile of the container relative to the conveying direction (T), so that the container (2) almost completely blocks the passage opening (161) when passing through the passage opening (161).

3. Feeding station according to the preceding claim, wherein When the partition (111b-112b, 121b-122b, 131b-132b) is in the passing position, when the container (2) passes through the channel opening (161), a space (163) is maintained between the channel opening (161) and the container (2), and the area of ​​the space (163) is substantially equal to the area of ​​the remaining opening (162).

4. Feeder station according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein The movable partition (111b-112b, 121b-122b, 131b-132b) has a U-shaped opening and is movable at right angles to the conveying direction (T) so that the remaining opening (162) is at least partially defined by the edge of the U-shaped opening.

5. A feeding station according to one or more of claims 2-4, wherein: The partition (111b-112b, 121b-122b, 131b-132b) is slidable in a position parallel to and adjacent to a corresponding one of the fixed walls (111a-112a, 121a-122a, 131a-132a) so that the remaining opening (162) is partially defined by the edge of the U-shaped opening and partially defined by the edge of the channel opening (161) on the corresponding fixed wall.

6. Feeder station according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein Between each processing chamber (11, 12, 13) and an adjacent processing chamber (11, 12, 13) along the transport direction (T), there is an intermediate chamber (14, 15), the intermediate chamber (14, 15) comprising an outlet (41-43), the outlet (41-43) being used to draw air, gas or vapor from the processing chamber upstream and / or downstream of the corresponding intermediate chamber relative to the transport direction (T).

7. Feeder station according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: Each processing chamber (11-13) comprises a plurality of annular distribution units (31), which are arranged side by side along the conveying direction (T) and are suitable for completely surrounding the container (2), and each annular distribution unit (31) is provided with a hole or a nozzle suitable for spraying the air, gas or steam onto the container (2).

8. Feeder station according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein The conveying device comprises a roller conveyor, the rollers (21a-21b) comprising cylindrical enlarged portions (22a-22b, 23a-23b) coaxial with the rollers and adapted to engage by friction the bottom surface of each container (2) so as to advance the container (2) along the conveying direction (T), the cylindrical enlarged portions being mutually offset on adjacent rollers along the conveying direction.

9. A feeding station according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: The distribution units (31) and the rollers (21a, 21b) are arranged alternately in each processing chamber along the conveying direction (T).

10. An aseptic processing line (100), comprising a loading line or an inlet (10) for loading containers (2), a feeding station (1) according to any of the preceding claims, and an aseptic processing station (100), wherein the feeding station (1) is arranged downstream of the loading line to receive the containers (2) from the loading line or the inlet (10), the aseptic processing station (100) is arranged downstream of the feeding station (1) to receive decontaminated containers (2), and the aseptic processing station (100) comprises at least one component for filling the containers (2).

11. A method for decontaminating containers (2) for pharmaceutical products as they are conveyed through a feed station (1) towards an aseptic processing station or an aseptic processing line (100), the feed station (1) comprising a tunnel defined by a plurality of processing chambers (11-13), the plurality of processing chambers (11-13) being arranged in series between an inlet and an outlet along a conveying direction (T), each processing chamber being delimited by a respective partition (111b-112b, 121b-122b, 131b-132b) respectively upstream and downstream with respect to the conveying direction (T), the method comprising the following steps: subjecting each processing chamber to an internal pressure above atmospheric pressure by introducing air, gas or vapor; Arranging the partition in a passing position so as to keep the corresponding passage opening (161) open when the container (2) is advanced through the passage opening (161) along the conveying direction (T); arranging the partition in a position for maintaining the internal pressure so as to reduce the passage opening (161) to a remaining opening (162) when the container (2) is held in the corresponding chamber, the position for maintaining the internal pressure preventing the container (2) from advancing or passing but allowing the air, gas or vapor to be sucked from the corresponding processing chamber to the outside so as to maintain the internal pressure in the corresponding chamber; The air, gas or vapor is sucked from the corresponding processing chamber to the outside by suction so as to maintain the internal pressure within the corresponding chamber.

12. A decontamination method according to the preceding claim, wherein: The processing chamber comprises a first preparation chamber (11), a second decontamination chamber (12) and a third rinsing chamber (13) along the conveying direction (T), hot air under pressure is introduced into the first preparation chamber (11) to heat the container (2), decontamination gas or decontamination vapor under pressure is introduced into the second decontamination chamber (12) to decontaminate the surface of the container (2), and air under pressure is introduced into the third rinsing chamber (13) to remove residues of the detergent from the surface of the container (2).

13. A decontamination method according to the preceding claim, wherein: The overpressure maintained in the first preparation chamber (11) and the second decontamination chamber (12) is lower than the overpressure maintained in the third rinsing chamber (13).

14. A method for decontamination according to one or more of claims 11 to 13, wherein: The decontamination gas or vapor is vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP), or nitrogen dioxide or chlorine dioxide.

15. A decontamination method according to the preceding claim, wherein: The hydrogen peroxide has a concentration comprised between 3000 ppm and 20000 ppm.

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