Apparatus and method for sterilizing container closures

Apparatus (1) for sterilizing container closures, comprising:

• a conduit (2) defining a passage for the closures and having a wall (3) surrounding the passage, the conduit (2) defining a spraying operative portion and a drying operative portion, the spraying operative portion and the drying operative portion being nonoverlapping;
• spraying means (4) for injecting inside the conduit (2) within the spraying operative portion a sterilization fluid heated and vaporized;
• drying means for introducing hot air inside the conduit (2) within the drying operative portion;
• means for heating the wall (3) of the conduit (2) operatively coupled thereto;
• said means for heating the wall (3) of the conduit (2) comprising at least a heater (8) coupled to an external surface of the wall (3) and connected to a power source (9) independent from said spraying means and said drying means, the means for heating the conduit (2) wall (3) being coupled at least to the spraying operative portion and to the drying operative portion.