Conveying apparatus, sterilization apparatus having a conveying apparatus, method for advancing and method for sterilizing receptacle closures

A sterilization apparatus (6′) for sterilizing receptacle closures (5), the apparatus (6′) comprising a conveying device (7′) for advancing receptacle closures (5) along an advancement path (P), the conveying device (7′) comprising:

• at least one guide track (9) defining and/or delimiting the advancement path (P);
• and
• an advancement unit (10) adapted to advance the receptacle closures (5) along the advancement path (P);
• wherein the advancement unit (10) comprises:
• an endless track (24);
• a plurality of cart assemblies moveably coupled to the endless track (24) and configured to interact with one or more receptacle closures (5) coupled to the guide track (9);
• an actuation assembly configured to control advancement of the cart assemblies along the endless track (24) for advancing the receptacle closures (5) along the advancement path (P);
• wherein each cart assembly comprises a cart (26) moveably coupled to the endless track (24) and at least an engagement element (27) coupled to the respective cart (26) and configured to engage with one or more receptacle closures (5) for advancing the one or more receptacle closures (5) along the advancement path (P);
• the apparatus further comprising an isolation chamber (8) housing at least a portion of the guide track (9) and comprising at least a sterilization zone (37) within which the receptacle closures (5) advancing along a sterilization portion (P1) of the advancement path (P) are, in use, sterilized,
• wherein the apparatus comprises a sterilization unit configured to sterilize the receptacle closures (5) during advancement of the receptacle closures (5) along the sterilization portion (P1);
• wherein the respective engagement element (27) of each cart assembly (25′) is arranged within the isolation chamber (8) at least during advancement of the respective receptacle closures (5) within the sterilization zone (37);
• wherein the guide track (9) is configured to support and/or guide the receptacle closures (5) during advancement along the advancement path (P);
• wherein:
• the endless track (24) is arranged outside of the isolation chamber (8);
• the actuation assembly is configured to control each cart assembly (25′) independently from the others;
• each cart assembly (25′) comprises:
• a first interaction member (53) coupled to the respective cart (26);
• and
• a second interaction member (54) coupled to the respective engagement element each first interaction member (53) and the respective second interaction member (54) are configured to interact with one another by means of magnetic and/or electromagnetic interaction so as to transfer a movement of the respective cart (26) to the respective engagement element (27);
• each engagement element (27) is configured to engage with a group (29) of receptacle closures (5) successively arranged on the guide track (9);
• each engagement element (27) is configured to contact at least the receptacle closure (5) of the group (29) of receptacle closures (5), which is arranged upstream from the others along the advancement path (P), so as to apply a pushing force on the group (29) of receptacle closures (5) upon advancement of the respective cart (26) for advancing the group (29) of receptacle closures (5) along the advancement path (P).