One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for processing sealed plastic containers having a first headspace pressure. The apparatus may include: an open entry port or tunnel for continuously receiving containers; a sanitizer configured to sanitize outside surfaces of the received containers; a perforator configured to perforate or open a cap or seal of the containers within the apparatus; a sealer configured to seal the perforation or opening formed in the cap or seal of the containers; an open exit port of tunnel for continuously exiting the processed containers; and a conveyor system configured to transporting or convey the containers from the open entry port or tunnel, through and within the apparatus, to the open exit port or tunnel and away from the sanitized environment of the apparatus. The apparatus may be further configured to maintain a sanitized environment within the apparatus, perforator, and/or sealer.

A cap sterilization device (50) includes an introduction unit (52), a sterilant spraying unit (53) that sprays a sterilant onto a cap (33) supplied from the introduction unit (52), an air-rinsing unit (54) that subjects the cap (33) onto which the sterilant has been sprayed by the sterilant spraying unit (53) to air-rinsing, and a conveyance guide (70) that is disposed to extend successively through the introduction unit (52), the sterilant spraying unit (53), and the air-rinsing unit (54) and along which the cap (33) is conveyed from the introduction unit (52) toward the air-rinsing unit (54). The air-rinsing unit (54) is provided with an air-rinsing nozzle (83) that supplies hot air to the cap (33). The air-rinsing nozzle (83) is disposed such that a distal end (83a) thereof is in front of a proximal end (83b) thereof in a conveying direction of the conveyance guide (70).

A plant (1) for filling and closing cans (2) under hygienic conditions which comprises a hygienic compartment (3), a lid applying device (7) and an inlet (30) for a filling material. The lid applying device (7) is arranged in the hygienic compartment (3) and the inlet (30) is formed on the hygienic compartment (3). When used as intended, one or more cans (2) can be assigned to the hygienic compartment (3) and the hygienic compartment (3) can be moved together with the can(s) (2) in the system (1).