Caps sterilizer with dynamic seal system

The caps sterilizer addresses deformation and non-uniform sterilization issues through transversely arranged channels and a dynamic seal system, improving efficiency and quality while maintaining flexibility and reducing costs.

WO2025242292A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-11-27SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS SAS
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/EP2024/063989
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-05-21
Publication Date
2025-11-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing caps sterilizers face issues such as cap deformation, incomplete sterilization, and complex sterilization agent contact due to axial pushing and non-uniform sterilization methods, leading to operational inefficiencies and reduced quality.

Method used

A caps sterilizer design featuring carriages with transversely arranged supporting channels and a dynamic seal system, allowing flexible production speed and time variation without axial cap pushing, ensuring uniform sterilization contact, and maintaining cleanliness and efficiency with a simple mechanical structure.

Benefits of technology

Enhances production efficiency and quality by optimizing sterilization contact, reducing manufacturing costs, and maintaining cleanliness with a flexible and reliable sterilization process.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

It is described a caps sterilizer (1''' ) comprising a sterilizing housing (2) defining within it a sterilizing chamber (21), a plurality of carriages ( 3''') arranged within the sterilizing chamber (21) and a motor group (4) positioned outside the sterilizing housing (2). The motor group (4) comprises a motor housing (42) defining a motor chamber (421), moveable actuator elements arranged within the motor chamber (421) and an actuator unit configured to move the actuator elements within the motor chamber (421). The cap sterilizer (1''') further comprises a dynamic seal system 60 being fluidically interposed between the motor chamber (421) and the sterilizing chamber (21). Each carriage (3'''') comprises a respective flange (39) being structurally connected to at least one respective actuator element. The dynamic seal system (60) comprises a U-shaped slot (61) being in fluidic connection with the sterilizing chamber (21) and the motor chamber (421). Each flange (39) comprises a U-shaped connection portion (391) placed within the U-shaped slot ( 61).
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Description

[0001]CAPS STERILIZER WITH DYNAMIC SEAL SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a caps sterilizer which achieves a qualitative improvement and a productivity improvement. BACKGROUND ART In the general field of packaging of pourable products, it is known to use an aseptic filling technique according to which the containers are filled with the product in an aseptic environment. In case this technique is used, the caps which will be used to cap the containers need to be sterilized before the application on the respective containers. Generally, in known caps sterilizers the caps are sterilized while being conveyed in a sterilizing chamber. In a first type of caps sterilizer, the caps are pushed in the conveying direction by an input wheel pushing on a row the caps, so that the pushing action is axially transmitted from one cap to the next one. Therefore, also due to the caps heating effect, which is needed for the sterilization, there is a certain risk of having an excessive deformation of the caps, which can lead to a stoppage of the caps sterilizer, and / or to a not completely correct operation of the caps sterilizer, and / or to a reduction in the precision or quality of the capping operation. In a second type of caps sterilizer, the caps are transported being spaced from each other along the conveying direction, by means of a conveyor belt. In this second type, it can be very difficult to obtain a correct and uniform contact between the caps and the sterilizing agent over the entire external surface of each cap, therefore requiring a certain level of complexity of the sterilizing means for obtaining a correct and uniform contact between the caps and the sterilizing agent. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION A caps sterilizer for sterilizing caps according to the present description and / or according to any one of the appended claims can be used to achieve an improvement of the caps sterilizer in terms of production efficiency and quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following detailed description will be referred to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is perspective view of a first variant of the caps sterilizer; Figure 2 is a top view of the first variant, with a component removed; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a first variant of the carriage which can be used in the caps sterilizer, in a filled condition; Figure 4A and 4B are perspective views of the first variant of the carriage during a loading operation for loading the caps on the carriage; Figure 5A and 5B are perspective views of the first variant of the carriage during a caps unloading operation for unloading the caps from the carriage; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second variant of the carriage; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a third variant of the carriage; Figure 8A and 8B are a perspective view and a lateral view, respectively, of a gate which can be part of the carriage, while the gate adopts an open condition; Figures 9A and 9B are a perspective view and a lateral view, respectively, of the gate adopting a closed condition; Figure 10 is a sectioned view of the first variant of the caps sterilizer; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a second variant of the caps sterilizer; Figure 12 is a top view of the second variant of the caps sterilizer, with said component removed; Figure 13 is a sectioned view of the second variant of the caps sterilizer; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a third variant of the caps sterilizer; Figure 15 is a top view of the third variant of the caps sterilizer, with said component removed; Figure 16 is a perspective view of a fourth variant of the caps sterilizer according to the present invention; Figure 17 is another perspective view of the caps sterilizer of Figure 16 with components removed; Figure 18 is a first sectioned view of the caps sterilizer of Figure 16; Figure 19 is a second sectioned view of the caps sterilizer of Figure 16; and Figure 20 is an enlarged view of a portion shown in Figure 19. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figures 1, 2, and 10 are referred to a first variant of the caps sterilizer, which is indicated with 1. Figures 11, 12 and 13 are referred to a second variant of the caps sterilizer, which is indicated with 1’. Figures 14 and 15 are referred to a third variant of the caps sterilizer, which is indicated with 1’’. Figures 16 to 20 are referred to a fourth variant of the caps sterilizer, which is indicated with 1’’’. The caps sterilizer comprises a sterilizing housing 2 which defines within it a sterilizing chamber 21. The sterilizing chamber is visible in Figures 2 and 12 in which a top roof of the housing 2 is removed. The sterilizing chamber 21 is also visible in Figure 14 and 15 through transparent windows which are positioned on the top roof of the housing 21. The sterilizing chamber 21 is also visible in Figures 1 and 11 through a transparent window which is located on a lateral side of the housing 21. The sterilizing chamber 21 is also visible in Figures 19 and 20 with regard to the fourth variant. The caps sterilizer is configured for sterilizing caps W, in particular by means of a chemical sterilization. Some caps W are indicated in Figures 1-3 and Figures 16 to 20. The caps sterilizer is configured so that the caps are sterilized while being conveyed within the chamber 21. The caps sterilizer comprises a plurality of carriages. Each carriage is configured for supporting caps W, so that the supported caps W are conveyed by means of a movement of the carriage within the chamber 21. Each carriage can be according to a first variant, according to a second variant, according to a third variant, according to a fourth variant, or according to a fifth variant. The first variant of the carriage is shown in Figure 3 and is indicated with 3. The second variant of the carriage is shown in Figure 6 and is indicated with 3’. The third variant of the carriage is shown in Figures 7 and 13 and is indicated with 3’’. The fourth variant of the carriage is shown in Figures 14 and 15 and is indicated with 3’’’. The fifth variant of the carriage is shown in Figures 17, 19 and 20 and is indicated with 3’’’’. In the example of the Figures, each carriage which is used in the first variant 1 of the caps sterilizer is according to the first variant 3 of the carriage. In the example of the Figures, each carriage which is used in the second variant 1’ of the caps sterilizer is according to the third variant 3’’ of the carriage. In the example of the Figures, each carriage which is used in the third variant 1’’ of the caps sterilizer is according to the fourth variant 3’’’ of the carriage. In the example of the Figures 16 to 20, each carriage which is used in the fourth variant 1’’’ of the caps sterilizer is according to the fifth variant 3’’’’. The caps sterilizer comprises a motor group 4 which is positioned outside with respect to the sterilizing housing 2 for generating said movement M of each carriage. Each carriage can for example be independently driven by the motor group 4 for generating said movement, so that the pitch between the carriages along said movement can be varied with a great flexibility in case production speed needs to be varied, without impacting on the time of the sterilization phase. On the other hand, the time of treatment can be varied without impacting on the production speed. Globally, an improvement in the flexibility related to the time of treatment and / or the production speed can be obtained. Each carriage comprises a respective at least one supporting channel which in particular is arranged transversally with respect to said movement M. The movement is indicated in Figures 2, 12, 15 and 17. Each supporting channel is adapted to receive a respective row of caps W which is arranged transversally with respect to said movement M. In figures 2, 12 and 15, the rows are not indicated by means of a dedicated reference number but are visible. It is visible that the rows are transversally arranged with respect to the movement. Each channel is preferably arranged orthogonally with respect to said movement. Each row is therefore arranged preferably orthogonally with respect to said movement. In this way, the transversal width of the sterilizing chamber 21 can be better exploited for positioning the caps W to be sterilized during the movement. Therefore, at constant number of caps per unit of length along the movement M, there is less or also no need of having any axial pushing action of the caps on each other. Moreover, the use of a carriage for conveying the caps W allows to keep the sterilizing means simple, in that no complex systems are needed to obtain a correct contact between the sterilizing agent and the whole surface of each cap W. Consequently, an increase in efficiency and productivity of the caps sterilizer is obtained. In the first variant 3 of the carriage, the at least one channel comprises a plurality of supporting channels which are arranged transversally and preferably orthogonally with respect to said movement M. The supporting channels are being spaced and separated from each other by means of barriers 37. Each carriage comprises the respective barriers 37. In this way, stability of the caps W during movement is optimal, to furtherly improve also the contact with the sterilization agent. In Figure 3, four channels are shown, which are indicated with 31, 32, 33, and 34, respectively. These four channels receive four respective rows of caps W, which are indicated with F1, F2, F3 and F4, respectively. In this way, there is an increase in productivity without any negative impact on the quality of production, in that the number of caps per unit of length is furtherly increased without any axial pushing action between the caps. In the second variant 3’ of the carriage, there is only one channel 31, and therefore only one row F1. In the third variant 3’’ of the carriage, there is only one channel 31, and therefore only one row F1.In the fourth variant 3’’’ of the carriage, there is only one channel, and therefore only one row. In the fifth variant 3’’’’ of the carriage, there is only one channel, and therefore only one row of caps W. In case the at least one channel comprises only one channel, the expression “each channel” designates the only one channel. It should be noted that also in the fifth variant 3’’’’ of the carriage it may be possible to foresee more than one channel. In each variant of the carriage, the carriage comprises a respective frame 36. The frame 36 defines the respective at least one channel. In the first variant 3 of the carriage, the frame 36 defines the channels and the barriers 37. In the first variant 3 of the carriage, in the second variant 3’ of the carriage, and in the fourth variant 3’’’ of the carriage, the carriage comprises a respective base 35 for interacting with said motor group 4 to generate said movement. In the first variant 3 and in the second variant 3’ of the carriage, the frame 36 is inclined obliquely with respect to said base 35 so that said at least one channel is inclined obliquely with respect to said base 35. In this way, the space inside the sterilizing chamber 21 can be better exploited for positioning the caps during the movement in such a way to increase the contact with the sterilizing agent. In the first variant 1 of the caps sterilizer, the motor group 4 comprises a planar motor. The base 35 can interact with the planar motor to generate the movement. The configuration of the carriage with the base 35 and the frame 36 is in particular useful in case the motor group 4 comprises the planar motor, in that the base 35 can interact with the planar motor with the frame 36 being arranged obliquely to optimize the use of the space in the sterilizing chamber 21. In the second variant 1’ and fourth variant 1’’’ of the caps sterilizer, the motor group 4 comprises a motor housing 42 defining a motor chamber 421 and a motor 41 which is located in the motor chamber 421. In the second variant 1’ and the fourth variant 1’’’ of the caps sterilizer, the motor housing 42 is arranged below the sterilizing housing 2. In the fourth variant 1’’’ of the caps sterilizer, the sterilizing chamber 21 and the motor chamber 421 have annular shapes. In the second variant 1’ of the caps sterilizer and in the fourth variant 1’’’ of the caps sterilizer, the motor also comprises moveable actuator elements 45 arranged within the motor chamber 421 and an actuator unit configured to move the actuator elements 45 within the motor chamber 421. The actuator unit is positioned in said motor chamber 421. In the specific case shown, actuator elements are carts couple to the actuator unit, the actuator unit being configured to move the carts. In the specific case shown, the motor is a linear motor 41. The linear motor 41 is positioned in said motor chamber 421. In the second variant 1’ and in the fourth variant 1’’’ of the caps sterilizer, the actuation elements 45, in particular the carts, are moveably connected to respective (annular) guides 46 of the motor group 4 arranged within the motor chamber 421. Additionally, the actuator unit controls advancement of actuation elements 45 along the respective guides 46. In the specific case shown of the first variant 1’ and the fourth variant 1’’’ of the caps sterilizer, the actuation unit interacts with actuation elements 45 by means of locally controlled electromagnetic fields. Alternatively, the actuation unit could also be a chain conveyor, a belt conveyor or the like. According to such embodiments, it would not be possible to selectively control the advancement of the carriages 3’’’’ as e.g. possible when using a linear motor. In the second variant 1’, the motor housing 42 defines a slot 422 through which the sterilizing chamber 21 and the motor chamber 421 are in fluid communication. The slot is indicated in Figure 13, which shows a section of the second variant 1’ of the caps sterilizer lying on a plane which is locally orthogonal to the movement of the carriages. In the fourth variant 1’’’ of the sterilizer, the caps sterilizer also comprises a dynamic seal system 60, in particular a liquid dynamic seal system 60, fluidically interposed between the motor chamber 421 and the sterilizing chamber 21. In particular, the dynamic seal system 60 is designed so as to impede an exchange of fluids, particles or heat between the motor chamber 421 and the sterilizing chamber 21. The dynamic seal system 60 comprises a U-shaped slot 61 which is in fluidic connection with the sterilizing chamber 21 and the motor chamber 421. The slot is U-shaped at least on a plane which is transversal and preferably orthogonal to the movement of the carriage 3’’’’. Also figure 10 shows a section of the first variant 1 of the caps sterilizer, the section lying on a plane which is locally orthogonal to the movement of the carriages. Figures 19 and 20 shows a section of the fourth variant 1’’’ of the caps sterilizer, the section lying on a plane which is locally orthogonal to the movement of the carriages. In the third variant 3’’ of the carriage, the carriage comprises a respective flange 39 and is structurally connected to the motor group 4, in particular the linear motor 41, by means of the flange 39 passing through the slot 422. The frame 36 is inclined obliquely with respect to the flange 39 so that said at least one channel is inclined obliquely with respect to the flange 39.In this way, the space inside the sterilizing chamber 21 can be better exploited for positioning the caps during the movement, in such a way to increase the contact with the sterilizing agent, with a mechanically simple coupling of the carriage with the linear motor. Therefore, an increase in efficiency is obtained with low manufacturing costs. In the fifth variant 3’’’’ of the carriage, the carriage 3’’’’ comprises a respective flange 39 and is structurally connected to one respective actuation element 45 by means of the flange 39 passing through the dynamic seal system 60. Also in the fifth variant 3’’’’ of the carriage, the frame 36 is preferentially inclined obliquely with respect to the flange 39 so that said at least one channel is inclined obliquely with respect to the flange 39. In this way, the space inside the sterilizing chamber 21 can be better exploited for positioning the caps W during the movement, in such a way to increase the contact with the sterilizing agent, with a mechanically simple coupling of the carriage 3’’’’ with the actuation unit. Therefore, an increase in efficiency is obtained with low manufacturing costs. Furthermore, each flange 39 comprises a U-shaped connection portion 391 placed within the U-shaped slot 61. With further detail, in the fourth variant 1’’’ of the caps sterilizer, the U-shaped slot 61 is at least partially filled with a liquid, in particular with a liquid comprising water and a sterilizing agent. The liquid can comprise for example water with peracetic acid or glycol water. The U shaped dynamic seal allows, without the need of a fluid recirculation system, to reduce or eliminate the risk of contamination of the sterilizing chamber 21, and to reduce or eliminate the risk of an accidental transfer of sterilizing agent in the motor chamber 421. Therefore, the fifth variant provides in particular a caps sterilizer which has a very high reliability with a simple structure. The U shaped dynamic seal allows also to increase the thermal separation between the motor chamber 421 and the sterilizing chamber 21, so as to allow each of the motor chamber 421 and the sterilizing chamber 21 to have a temperature which is more suitable for the respective technical purpose. Advantageously, the fourth variant 1’’’ of the caps sterilizer further comprises a recirculation and filtering unit configured to recirculate and filter the liquid. In this way, one guarantees the efficiency of the liquid dynamic seal system 60 over an extended time. In further detail, the dynamic seal system 60 comprises a channel 62, in particular an annular channel 62, and a barrier plate 63, in particular an annular barrier plate 63, penetrating into the channel 62 for defining the U-shaped slot 61. In even further detail, the channel 62 comprises a base wall 621 and two lateral walls 622 extending from the base wall 621. In particular, the barrier plate 63 enters into the channel 62 and towards the base wall 621 keeping a distance to the base wall 621 so as to form together with the lateral walls 622 and the base wall 621 the U-shaped slot 61. In particular, the barrier plate 63 is connected to the sterilizing housing 21 and protrudes into the channel 62. When considering the fourth variant 3’’’ of the caps sterilizer, each flange 39 also comprises a first connection portion 392 which is structurally interposed between the respective actuator element 45 and the U- shaped portion 391, and a second connection portion 393 which is structurally interposed between the respective carriage 3’’’’ and the U-shaped portion 391. In particular, each first connection portion 392 and the respective second connection portion 393 are arranged outside from the U-shaped slot 61. Even more particular, each first connection portion 392 is arranged within the motor chamber 421 and each second connection portion 393 is arranged within the sterilization chamber 21. In other words, each first connection portion 392 is arranged outside from the sterile environment present within the sterilization chamber 21 and each second connection portion 393 is arranged within it. In the second variant 1’ of the caps sterilizer, the caps sterilizer is configured so that the fluid pressure P1 in said motor chamber 421 is greater than the fluid pressure P2 in said sterilizing chamber 21. In this way, the cleanliness of the linear motor can be kept higher over the time, as this pressure barrier can make it very difficult or impossible for materials which are to be used inside the sterilizing chamber 21 to enter in the motor chamber 421. The sterilizing housing 2 is inclined obliquely with respect to the motor group 4, so that also said sterilizing chamber 21 is inclined obliquely with respect to said motor group 4. In this way, the exploitation of the space inside the sterilizing chamber 21 is furtherly improved. The sterilizing chamber 21, alternatively, can be orthogonally inclined with respect to the motor group 4. The second variant 1’ of the caps sterilizer has therefore a pressure barrier to increase the cleanliness of the motor. This pressure barrier can be avoided in the fourth variant 1’’’ of the caps sterilizer, which, from this point of view, allows a simplification with respect to the second variant 1’ of the caps sterilizer. In fact, the second variant 1’ can require also a recirculation system for recirculating in the correct manner the air due to the difference of pressure. Therefore, the fourth variant 1’’’ of the caps sterilizer allows to reach the compactness of the second variant 1’ with a further system simplification. Each of the bottom wall 311 of each channel of each carriage is at least partially opened to allow the passage of a sterilizing agent. The lateral wall 312 of each channel of each carriage is at least partially opened to allow the passage of a sterilizing agent. The bottom wall 311 and the lateral wall 312 are indicated in Figures 4A and 8A. The top wall 313 of each channel of each carriage is at least partially opened to allow the passage of a sterilizing agent. The top wall 313 is indicated in Figure 4A. the top wall is preferably completely opened, in the sense that the channel is completely opened or uncovered on the top. In this way, the contact between each cap and the sterilizing agent is increased. In all the variants of the caps sterilizer, the caps sterilizer comprises a loading channel 6 which can be in communication with the chamber 21 to load the caps in each supporting channel of each carriage when the respective supporting channel is in communication with said loading channel 6. Figures 4A shows the carriage 3 during loading of a first row F1 of caps in the first channel 31. Figures 4B shows the carriage 3 during loading of a second row F2 of caps in the second channel 32. In all the variants of the caps sterilizer, the caps sterilizer comprises an unloading channel 7 which can be in communication with the chamber 21 to unload the caps from each supporting channel of each carriage when the respective supporting channel is in communication with said unloading channel 7. Figures 5A shows the carriage 3 during unloading of a third row F3 of caps from the third channel 33. Figures 4B shows the carriage 3 during unloading of a fourth row F4 of caps from the fourth channel 34. In this way, the system for loading and unloading the caps can be very simple from a mechanical point of view. In the first variant 1 and in the second variant 1’ of the caps sterilizer, the loading channel 6 and the unloading channel 7 are positioned on respective and opposite lateral sides 2a and 2b of the sterilizing housing 2, with respect to the movement M of the carriages. In this way, the movement during which the process occurs can cover at least two stretches in respective opposite directions, to better exploit the width of the sterilizing chamber, at constant distance required for the sterilization phase. This in particular leads to an optimization of the space to reduce the manufacturing costs of the motor group, in particular in case the motor group comprises a planar motor. In the third variant 1’’ of the caps sterilizer, the loading channel 6 and the unloading channel 7 are positioned on respective and opposite axial sides 2c and 2d of the sterilizing housing 2, with respect to said movement M. In this way, the loading channel 6 and the unloading channel 7 can be positioned on the same lateral side of the housing 21, to improve the caps sterilizer from an ergonomic point of view. In the first variant 3, in the second variant 3’, and in the third variant 3’’ of the carriage, the carriage is configured so that each channel can be loaded and unloaded by gravity by means of the loading channel 6 and the unloading channel 7, respectively. To this end, each carriage comprises, for each channel, a gate 38 which can adopt a closed position for loading the caps from the loading channel 6 and for conveying the caps, in the sense that the gate 38 is closed during loading and during the movement M of the carriage. The gate 38 can adopt an open condition for unloading the caps into the unloading channel 7. In Figures 8A and 8B, the gate adopts the open condition. In Figures 9A and 9B, the gate 38 adopts the closed condition. The oblique inclination of the at least one channel with respect to the base 35 or to the flange 39 makes it easier the loading and unloading by gravity, and allows a more simple mechanical configuration of the gate 38. The gate 38 is movable between the open condition and the closed condition translationally or rotationally. Figures 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B, are referred to a situation in which the gate 38 is movable rotationally. In the fourth variant 3’’’ of the carriage, and in the third variant 1’’ of the caps sterilizer, the caps sterilizer and each carriage are configured so that each channel of the carriage can be loaded and unloaded by means of a relative motion of the carriage with respect to the loading channel 6 and unloading channel 7, respectively. Said motion is transversal with respect to said movement M. A motion for unloading the caps is indicated with Q in Figure 15. This motion is preferably horizontal. In this way, the vertical footprint of the caps sterilizer is reduced, as the loading channel 6 and the unloading channel 7 can be less inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, with respect to the other variants of the caps sterilizer. In the example of Figures 14 and 15, the loading channel 6 and the unloading channel 7 are horizontal. In all the variants of the caps sterilizer, the caps sterilizer comprises sterilizing means 5 which are configured for injecting a sterilization agent in said sterilizing chamber 21. This sterilizing means can comprise for example sterilizing tubes which are inside the sterilizing chamber 21 or in fluid communication with the sterilizing chamber 21. The sterilization agent may be for example hydrogen peroxide. Other sterilization techniques may be used alternatively or in addition, for example sterilization by UV radiation and / or lamps. In each variant of the caps sterilizer, the layout of the caps sterilizer is configured for improving the quality of production and / or the efficiency. Each variant of the carriage defines a tray for transporting the caps which is in particular configured for having the improvements of the caps sterilizer. The tray corresponds to the frame 36. In the third variant 1’’ of the caps sterilizer, there is a return stretch which each carriage follows after having unloaded the sterilized caps and before loading the new caps to be sterilized, as shown for example in Figure 14 and 15.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- Caps sterilizer (1’’’) for sterilizing caps (W) comprising: - a sterilizing housing (2) defining within it a sterilizing chamber (21), the caps sterilizer (1’’’) being configured so that the caps (W) are sterilized while being conveyed within the chamber (21); - a plurality of carriages (3’’’’) arranged within the sterilizing chamber (21), each carriage (3’’’’) being configured for supporting one or more caps (W), so that the supported caps (W) are conveyed by means of a movement (M) of the carriage within the sterilizing chamber (21); - a motor group (4) which is positioned outside the sterilizing housing (2) and which is configured to generate said movement (M) of each carriage (3’’’’); wherein the motor group (4) comprises a motor (41) and a motor housing (42) defining a motor chamber (421), the motor (41) being located in the motor chamber (421); wherein the sterilizer (1’’’) further comprises a dynamic seal system (60) being fluidically interposed between the motor chamber (421) and the sterilizing chamber (21); wherein each carriage (3’’’’) comprises a respective flange (39) by means of which the carriage (3’’’’) is structurally connected to the motor (41);wherein the dynamic seal system (60) comprises a U- shaped slot (61) being in fluidic connection with the sterilizing chamber (21) and the motor chamber (421), said slot being U-shaped at least on a plane which is transversal or preferably orthogonal to the movement of the carriage (3’’’’); wherein each flange (39) comprises a U-shaped connection portion (391) placed within the U-shaped slot (61). 2.- Caps sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the U-shaped slot (61) has an annular shape along said movement. 3.- Caps sterilizer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the U-shaped slot (61) is at least partially filled with a liquid. 4.- Caps sterilizer (1’’’) according to claim 3, further comprising a recirculation and filtering unit configured to recirculating and filtering the liquid. 5.- Caps sterilizer (1’’’) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the liquid comprises water and a sterilizing agent. 6.- Caps sterilizer (1’’’) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor housing (42) is arranged below the sterilizing housing (2). 7.- Caps sterilizer (1’’’) according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein the dynamic seal system (60) comprises a channel (62) and a barrier plate (63) penetrating into the channel (62) for defining the U- shaped slot (61). 8.- Caps sterilizer (1’’’) according to claim 7, wherein the channel comprises a base wall (621) and two lateral walls (622) extending from the base wall (621). 9.- Caps sterilizer (1’’’) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each flange (39) comprises a first connection portion (392) structurally interposed between the motor (41) and the U-shaped portion (391) and a second connection portion (393) structurally interposed between the carriage (3’’’’) and the U-shaped portion (391). 10.- Caps sterilizer (1’’’) according to claim 9, wherein each first connection portion (392) and the respective second connection portion (393) are arranged outside from the U-shaped slot (61). 11.- Caps sterilizer (1’’’) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each carriage (3’’’’) comprises a respective at least one supporting channel which is arranged preferably transversally and more preferably orthogonally with respect to said movement (M), each supporting channel being adapted to receive a respective row of caps (W) which is arranged preferablytransversally and preferably orthogonally with respect to said movement (M). 12.- Caps sterilizer (1’’’) according to claim 11, wherein each carriage (3’’’’) comprises a respective frame (36) defining the respective at least one supporting channel. 13.- Caps sterilizer (1’’’) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor group (4) comprises a linear motor (41); wherein the linear motor (41) comprises actuation elements (45) and the linear motor (41) is configured to control advancement of the actuation elements (45). 14.- Caps sterilizer (1’’’) according to any of the previous Claims, comprising sterilizing means (5) which are configured for injecting a sterilization agent in said sterilizing chamber (21).

Citation Information

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