Apparatus and a process for sterilizing and rinsing containers

An apparatus (1) for sterilizing and rinsing containers (100), comprising:

• a sterilizing unit (10) configured to treat the containers (100) by means of a sterilizing solution contained in a first tank (11);
• a rinsing unit (20) arranged downstream the sterilizing unit (10) and configured to rinse the containers (100) advancing along a path (P) with sterile water;
• a UHT device (22) configured to provide sterile water to the rinsing unit (20);
• dispensing means (23) in selective fluid communication with the UHT device (22) so as to dispense a first amount of sterile water towards the containers (100) in a first rinsing tract (P1) of the path (P) and a second amount of sterile water towards the containers (100) in a second rinsing tract (P2) of the path (P) that is downstream the first rinsing tract (P1);
• a recovery collector (24) arranged at the second rinsing tract (P2) of the path (P) for collecting at least part of exhaust sterile water dropping from the containers (100) advancing along the second rinsing tract (P2), said recovery collector (24) being in selective fluid communication with the UHT device (22).