Machine and method for packaging pourable food

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaging method for packaging a pourable product in at least one container (B) and a machine configured to carry out the method, by means of which the flexibility of a packaging machine (1) configured to carry out the method is improved in terms of the type of product to be packaged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging method for packaging pourable products in at least one container and a machine configured to carry out this method, by means of which the flexibility of the packaging machine configured to carry out this method in terms of the type of product to be packaged is improved. Background Art

[0002] In the general field of packaging machines for packaging pourable products in containers, the machine comprises a conveyor for supporting a plurality of containers and a plurality of filling devices, each filling device being configured to fill the containers with product by means of a filling process. The filling process can be of several types. For example, in the case of non-foaming products, the filling process can be, for example, a non-contact filling process, which can be considered, for example, as a first type of filling process. According to this first type, the containers do not come into contact with the filling device during the transfer of the product to the containers. For example, in the case of carbonated products, the filling process can be, for example, a contact filling process, which can be considered as a second type. According to this second type, the containers come into contact with the filling device during the transfer of the product to the containers. For example, in the case of hot-fill products, the filling process can be, for example, a hot-fill process, which can be considered as a third type. According to this third type, the product is transferred to the containers in a heated state in order to obtain pasteurization of the containers by means of the same product.

[0003] Generally, the type of filling process depends on the type of product to be packaged.

[0004] Generally, the filling devices are all configured to fill the respective containers with the same type of filling process suitable for all the filling devices, and thus the filling devices are configured for the same type of product. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates to a packaging method for packaging pourable products in at least one container, by means of which the flexibility of the packaging machine for carrying out this method in terms of the type of product to be packaged is improved.

[0006] The packaging method according to the present invention or according to any of the appended method claims achieves the aim of improving the flexibility of the machine.

[0007] The present invention also relates to a packaging machine configured to carry out the method according to the present invention.

[0008] The packaging machine according to any of the appended machine claims is configured to carry out the method according to any of the appended method claims.

[0009] The features of the method and machine according to the present invention will become clearer from the following non - limiting description of the respective exemplary embodiments of the method and machine according to the present invention.

[0010] The following brief description of the drawings and detailed description relate to possible exemplary embodiments of a packaging method according to the present invention. In the following, the term "method" is intended to denote the said exemplary embodiments of the method.

[0011] The following brief description of the drawings and detailed description relate to possible exemplary embodiments of a packaging machine according to the present invention. In the following, the term "machine" is intended to denote the said exemplary embodiments of the machine.

[0012] The machine is configured to perform the method. The method is particularly adapted to be performed by the machine. Description of the Drawings

[0013] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine;

[0015] Figure 2 is a top view of the machine;

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the filling station of the machine;

[0017] Figure 4 is a detailed view of the second filling station of the machine, in which at least one container is in a lowered position, in which position at least one container is not in contact with the second filling station;

[0018] Figure 5 is a detailed view of the second filling station, in which at least one container is in a raised position, in which raised position at least one container is in contact with the second filling station;

[0019] Figure 6 is a view of the second filling station, in which a first container of at least one container is in a lowered position while a second container of at least one container is in a raised position;

[0020] Figure 7 is a detailed view of at least one projection integral with at least one lifting element of the second station and at least one groove integral with the holding unit of the conveyor of the machine, in which the first container and the second container are in a lowered position;

[0021] Figure 8 is a detailed view of the capping station of the machine, in which the transfer element of the capping station is in a first position relative to the application sub - station and the pick - up sub - station of the capping station;

[0022] Figure 9 is a detailed view of the capping station of the machine, wherein the transfer element of the capping station is in a second position relative to the application sub-station and the pick-up sub-station of the capping station;

[0023] Figure 10 is a detailed view of the capping station of the machine, wherein the transfer element of the capping station is in a third position relative to the application sub-station and the pick-up sub-station of the capping station;

[0024] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the machine, which shows possible additional features of the machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The machine is designated by 1 in Figure 1 and Figure 2 The machine is used to pack a pourable product in at least one container B.

[0026] The pourable product can be, for example, a pourable food product. The pourable food product can be, for example, a carbonated product, or a non-carbonated product (which can be referred to as a non-fizzy product), or a hot-fill product (which needs to be transferred to at least one container B while in a hot state).

[0027] The pourable food product can be water or any other kind of beverage.

[0028] The container B can be any kind of utensil, such as a bottle.

[0029] The machine includes a first filling station 3. The first filling station 3 is configured to fill at least one container B by a first type of filling process.

[0030] The first filling station 3 includes at least one filling device 31, which is configured to transfer the product to at least one container B according to the first type of filling process.

[0031] The first type of filling process can be, for example, a non-contact filling process (also known as a contactless filling process), according to which, during the transfer of the product to at least one container B, at least one container B does not come into contact with at least one filling device 31. For example, in the case where the product is a non-carbonated or non-fizzy product, a non-contact filling method can be employed.

[0032] The first type of filling process can be, for example, a hot-fill process, according to which the product is in a hot state while being transferred to at least one container B. This can be used, for example, to pasteurize at least one container B with the same product.

[0033] The first type of filling process can be, for example, a contact filling process, according to which, during the transfer of the product to at least one container B, at least one container B comes into contact with at least one filling device 31. For example, in the case where the product is a carbonated product, a contact filling process can be employed.

[0034] The first filling station 3 is positioned at a first angular position around an axis X. The axis X is defined by the machine 1. This axis is only shown in Figure 2 and is orthogonal to the plane of Figure 2 .

[0035] The machine includes a second filling station 4. The second filling station 4 is configured to fill at least one container B by means of a second type of filling process. The second type can be, for example, a contact filling process. In any case, the second type is different from the first type.

[0036] It should be noted that the general category of non-contact filling processes and the general category of hot filling processes cannot be completely separated.

[0037] It should be noted that the general category of contact filling processes and the general category of hot filling processes cannot be completely separated.

[0038] Both the first type and the second type can belong to the general category of contact filling processes. In this case, the first type and the second type differ at least in the characteristics or parameters of the filling process.

[0039] For example, it can be the case that the first type is a contact hot filling process and the second type is a contact filling process (which is also not a hot filling process).

[0040] For example, it can be the case that the first type is a non-contact filling process and the second type is a contact filling process.

[0041] Generally, the first type of filling process differs from the second type of filling process in at least one of the characteristics or parameters of the filling process.

[0042] Generally, the type of filling process depends on the type of product to be packaged.

[0043] The second filling station 4 is positioned at a second angular position around the axis X. The second angular position is different from the first angular position.

[0044] The machine 1 includes a control unit 5. The control unit 5 communicates with the filling stations 3 and 4. The control unit 5 is configured to perform a preliminary selection phase. During the preliminary selection phase, one of the filling stations 3 and 4 is automatically selected according to the user input I. Generally, the input I depends on the type of filling process and thus on the type of product to be packaged. The control unit 5 is only schematically shown in Figure 2 .

[0045] The first and second angular positions can be seen in Figure 1 and 2 .

[0046] In the following, the second filling station 4 is taken as an example of the selected station for illustration.

[0047] At least one filling device 31 of the first station 3 may include, for example, a corresponding first filling device 31a and a corresponding second filling device 31b. At least one filling device 41 of the second station 4 may include, for example, a corresponding first filling device 41a and a corresponding second filling device 41b.

[0048] In this case, at least one container B is considered to include a first container B1 and a second container B2. Each of the first container B1 and the second container B2 can be any kind of vessel, such as a bottle.

[0049] Each of the corresponding first filling device 31a and the corresponding second filling device 31b of the first station 3 is configured to transfer the product to the first container B1 and the second container B2 respectively according to a first type of filling process.

[0050] Each of the corresponding first filling device 41a and the corresponding second filling device 41b of the second station 4 is configured to transfer the product to the first container B1 and the second container B2 respectively according to a second type of filling process.

[0051] The machine 1 includes an upper frame 7. The upper frame 7 is shown in Figures 1 to 6 .

[0052] The machine 1 includes a lower frame 8. The lower frame 8 is shown in Figure 1 , 2 and 3.

[0053] The first station 3 is fixed in the first angular position by the upper frame 7.

[0054] The second station 4 is fixed in the second angular position by the upper frame 7.

[0055] The machine 1 includes a conveyor 2. The conveyor is shown in Figure 1 and 2 .

[0056] The upper frame 7 is located at a higher height relative to the conveyor 2 with respect to the axis X.

[0057] The lower frame 8 is located at a lower height relative to the conveyor 2 with respect to the axis X.

[0058] The conveyor 2 is configured to perform a conveying phase. During the conveying phase, at least one container B is positioned in each of the stations 3 and 4 by means of a progressive rotation of the conveyor 2 about the axis X and relative to the stations 3 and 4.

[0059] The machine 1 is configured to perform a filling phase according to the selection phase and during the conveying phase. During the filling phase, at least one container B is filled with a pourable product. The filling phase is carried out by the selected station 4. The filling phase is carried out while at least one container B is positioned in the selected station 4.

[0060] In this way, since it is possible to make a very rapid switch between a first type of filling process and a second type of filling process by changing the input I of the control unit 5, the flexibility of the machine 1 with respect to the type of product to be transferred to at least one container B is improved.

[0061] Furthermore, the fact that each of the filling stations 3 and 4 includes more than one filling device improves the productivity of the machine 1.

[0062] The upper frame 7 defining the first angular position of the first station 3 and the second angular position of the second station 4 allows the first station 3 and the second station 4 to be in the correct position to perform the filling phase without disturbing the movement of the conveyor 2. In this way, the compactness of the machine 1 is improved. In this way, the mechanical complexity of the machine 1 is also improved, since the machine 1 does not require a complex system to allow the stations 3 and 4 to adapt to the movement of the conveyor 2 in order to perform the filling phase.

[0063] The machine 1 is configured such that the filling phase includes a transfer phase, during which the product is transferred to at least one container B by at least one filling device 41 of the selected station 4.

[0064] More particularly, during the transfer phase, the product is transferred to the first container B1 by the respective first filling device 41a of the selected station 4, and the product is transferred to the second container B2 by the respective second filling device 41b of the selected station 4.

[0065] The transfer of the product to the first container B1 and the transfer of the product to the second container B2 are preferably carried out simultaneously or at least partially simultaneously.

[0066] The machine 1 includes a lifting device 6. The lifting device is shown in Figure 3 、 4 、5.

[0067] The machine 1 is configured such that the filling phase includes a lifting phase prior to the transfer phase. During the lifting phase, at least one container B is lifted by the lifting device 6 until it comes into contact with at least one filling device 41 of the selected station 4.

[0068] Figure 3 It shows that at least one container B is in such a situation that before the lifting stage, at least one container B is in the selected station 4, and at the same time at least one container B is in a lowered position relative to at least one filling device 41 of the selected station 4. More particularly, during the lifting stage, the first container B1 is lifted by the lifting device 6 until it contacts the corresponding first filling device 41a of the selected station 4. More particularly, during the lifting stage, the second container B2 is lifted by the lifting device 6 until it contacts the corresponding second filling device 41b of the selected station 4.

[0069] Figure 4 It shows that the first container B1 and the second container B2 are in such a situation that before the lifting stage, they are in the selected station 4, and at the same time they are in a lowered position relative to the corresponding first filling device 41a and second filling device 41b of the selected station 4. Figure 5 It shows that the first container B1 and the second container B2 are in such a situation that after the lifting stage, they are in the selected station 4, and at the same time they are in the lifted position, in which they are respectively in contact with the corresponding first filling device 41a and second filling device 41b of the selected station 4.

[0070] Figure 6 It shows the situation where the first container B1 is in the lowered position while the second container B2 is in the lifted position. This situation may not occur during the method. Figure 6 of the situation.

[0071] However, the lifting of the first container B1 and the lifting of the second container B2 are preferably carried out simultaneously, or at least partially simultaneously.

[0072] The lifting device 6 is fixed in the second angular position by the lower frame 8. This allows the lifting device 6 to lift at least one container B without interfering with the movement of the conveyor 2, which simplifies the mechanical complexity of the machine 1 because the machine 1 does not require a complex system to avoid interference between the lifting device 6 and the conveyor 2, and at the same time allows the lifting device 6 to perform the lifting stage.

[0073] The conveyor 2 includes a star member 21. The star member 21 is shown in Figure 2 The star member 21 is coaxial with the axis X. The axis X can be considered as the axis of the star member 21. The conveyor includes a holding unit 22. The holding unit 2 is installed on the radial periphery of the star member 21. The position of the holding unit 22 on the radial periphery is shown in Figure 2 in.

[0074] The holding unit 22 is configured to perform a holding phase. During the holding phase, at least one container B is held by the holding unit 22 at the radial periphery of the star member 2.

[0075] The machine 1 is configured such that a conveying phase and a filling phase are performed during the holding phase. Thus, the positioning of at least one container B at the first station 3 corresponds to the positioning of the holding unit 22 at the first station 3, and the positioning of at least one container B at the second station 4 corresponds to the positioning of at least one container B at the second station 4.

[0076] The lifting device 6 includes at least one lifting element 61. The lifting device 6 is configured such that a lifting phase is performed by the movement of the holding unit 22 relative to the star member 21. This movement includes at least a translational component in a direction parallel to the axis X. The lifting device 6 is configured such that the movement of the holding unit 22 is generated by at least one lifting element 61.

[0077] In particular, at least one lifting element 61 includes a first lifting element 61a and a second lifting element 61b. The first lifting element 61a contributes to generating the movement of the holding unit 22 on the side of the first container B1. The second lifting element 61b contributes to generating the movement of the holding unit 22 on the side of the second container B2.

[0078] The first lifting element 61a and the second lifting element 61b are shown in Figure 4 、 5 and 7.

[0079] The lifting device 6 is configured such that the movement is generated by a lifting action exerted by at least one lifting element 61 on the holding unit 22.

[0080] The holding unit 22 and at least one lifting element 61 include at least one protrusion 611 and at least one groove 221. At least one protrusion 611 is integral with at least one lifting element 61a, and at least one groove 221 is integral with the holding unit 22, or vice versa.

[0081] The lifting action is caused by the insertion position of at least one protrusion 611 in at least one groove 221.

[0082] The machine 1 is configured such that the positioning of the holding unit 22 at the second station 4 corresponds to the insertion position of at least one protrusion 611 in at least one groove 221.

[0083] In this way, the lifting device 6 can be used to lift at least one container B when the second filling station 4 is the selected station 4, while allowing the holding unit 2 to be positioned in the second station 4 without disturbing the lifting device 6 when the second station 4 is not the selected station. Thus, the switch between the first type of filling process and the second type of filling process can be very simple because it does not require any complex mechanical intervention on the machine 1.

[0084] In particular, at least one projection 611 includes a first projection 611a and a second projection 611b.

[0085] The first projection 611a and the second projection 611b are shown in Figure 7 shown.

[0086] In particular, at least one groove 221 includes a first groove 221a and a second groove 221b.

[0087] The first groove 221a and the second groove 221b are shown in Figure 7 shown.

[0088] The first projection 611a is integral with the first lifting element 61a, and the first groove 221a is integral with the holding unit 22, or vice versa.

[0089] The second projection 611b is integral with the second lifting element 61b, and the second groove 221b is integral with the holding unit 22, or vice versa.

[0090] The lifting action is caused by the insertion position of the first projection 611a in the first groove 221a and the insertion position of the second projection 611b in the second groove 221b.

[0091] The machine 1 is configured such that the positioning of the holding unit 22 in the second station 4 corresponds to the insertion position of the first projection 611a in the first groove 221a and the insertion position of the second projection 611b in the second groove 221b.

[0092] The machine 1 includes a capping station 9. The capping station 9 is shown in Figure 1 、 8 9 and 10.

[0093] The capping station 9 is configured to perform a capping phase. The capping phase is performed after the filling phase. During the capping phase, at least one container B is capped by at least one closure C. The capping station 9 is positioned at a third angular position around the axis X. The third angular position is different from the first angular position and the second angular position.

[0094] The conveyor 2 is configured such that at least one container B is positioned in the capping station 9 by means of said stepwise movement and after the filling phase.

[0095] At least one closure C includes a first closure C1 for closing the first container B1 and a second closure C2 for closing the second container B2.

[0096] The capping station 9 includes a forked transfer element 91. The transfer element 91 includes a first arm 911a and a second arm 911b.

[0097] The capping station includes a picking sub-station 92. The capping station 9 is configured such that the capping phase includes a picking phase. The picking phase is carried out in the picking sub-station 92. During the picking phase, the transfer element 91 picks up at least the first closure C1 and the second closure C2 through the first arm 911 and the second arm 911b respectively.

[0098] The picking sub-station 92 includes a dispenser 921 which is configured to dispense at least the first closure C1 and the second closure C2.

[0099] During the picking phase, the transfer element 91 unloads at least the first closure C1 and the second closure C2 from the dispenser 921 through the first arm 911 and the second arm 911b respectively.

[0100] The capping station 9 includes an application sub-station 93. The capping station 9 is configured such that the capping phase includes an application phase. The application phase is carried out in the application sub-station 93. The application sub-station includes a first capping head 931a and a second capping head 931b. During the application phase, the first closure C1 is applied to the first container B1 by the first capping head 931a. During the application phase, the second closure C2 is applied to the second container B2 by the second capping head 931b.

[0101] The capping station 9 is configured such that the capping phase includes a transfer phase. During the transfer phase, the transfer element 91 transfers at least the first closure C1 and the second closure C2 from the picking sub-station 92 to the application sub-station 93 through the displacement of the transfer element 91. The forked element 91 allows the first closure C1 and the second closure C2 to be picked up in a manner that allows the capping of the first container B1 and the second container B2 to be carried out simultaneously or at least partially simultaneously. In this way, the productivity of the machine 1 which is also provided with the capping station 9 is improved.

[0102] The capping station 9 is configured such that the transfer element 91 picks up at least the second closure C2 and the first closure C1 one by one. In Figure 8 the transfer element 91 is in the picking sub-station 92 and has not picked up either the first closure C1 or the second closure C2. In Figure 10 the transfer element 91 is in the application sub-station 93. In Figure 9 the transfer element 91 has picked up the second closure C2 but has not picked up the first closure C1.

[0103] The capping station 9 is configured such that while the transfer element 91 is affected by displacements from the pick-up sub-station 92 and the application sub-station 93, the transfer element 91 picks up the first closure C1. While considering Figure 9 the situation, during said displacement, the transfer element 91 is ready to also remove the first closure C1 from the dispenser 921.

[0104] In this way, the dispenser can dispense one closure at a time. Thus, the mechanical complexity of the capping station 9 and thus also of the machine 1 is reduced.

[0105] The transfer element 91 can be, for example, Y-shaped. This allows the displacement of the transfer element to be a rotation in order to save space.

[0106] The machine can include another capping station 9'. This can improve the productivity of the machine. This option is shown in Figure 11 this.

[0107] The other capping station 9' can have one or more features of the capping station 9, or all the features of the capping station 9.

[0108] The machine 1 can be configured such that the rotation of the transfer element of the capping station 9 and the rotation of the transfer element of the other capping station 9' are opposite to each other. In this way, the space required by the machine 1 to define the path from the input (where the machine 1 receives at least one container B) to the output (where the machine releases at least one container B) is reduced.

[0109] The method includes the above stages.

[0110] Obviously, the machine 1 and the method can be modified without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A packaging machine (1) for packaging a pourable product in at least one container (B), the packaging machine (1) comprising: - a first filling station (3) configured to fill at least one container (B) by a first type of filling process, the first filling station (3) being positioned at a first angular position about an axis (X) defined by the packaging machine (1); - a second filling station (4) configured to fill the at least one container (B) by a second type of filling process different from the first type, the second filling station (4) being positioned at a second angular position about the axis (X), and the second type being a contact filling process, the second angular position being different from the first angular position; - a control unit (5) connected to the first filling station (3) and the second filling station (4) and configured to perform a preliminary selection phase during which one of the first filling station (3) and the second filling station (4) is automatically selected according to an input (I) from a user; - a conveyor (2) configured to perform a conveying phase during which the at least one container (B) is subsequently positioned in each of the first filling station (3) and the second filling station (4) by a progressive rotational movement of the at least the conveyor (2) about the axis (X) and relative to the first filling station (3) and the second filling station (4); wherein the packaging machine (1) is configured to perform a filling phase according to the selection phase and during the conveying phase, during which the at least one container (B) is filled with the pourable product, the filling phase being performed by the selected filling station while the at least one container (B) is positioned in the selected filling station, wherein: - each of the first filling station (3) and the second filling station (4) includes at least one respective filling device (31; 41) for conveying the product according to the respective type of filling process, the machine being configured such that the filling phase includes a conveying phase during which the product is conveyed to the container (B) by the at least one filling device (31; 41) of the selected station; - the packaging machine (1) includes a lifting device (6) and is configured such that the filling phase includes a lifting phase before the conveying phase, during which the at least one container (B) is lifted by the lifting device (6) until the at least one container (B) contacts the at least one filling device (41) of the selected filling station; - an upper frame (7) located at a higher height relative to the conveyor (2) with respect to the axis (X); - a lower frame (8) located at a lower height relative to the conveyor (2) with respect to the axis (X); wherein the first filling station (3) is fixed at the first angular position by the upper frame (7); wherein the second filling station and the lifting device (6) are respectively fixed in the second angular position by the upper frame (7) and the lower frame (8); wherein: - the conveyor (2) includes a star member (21) coaxial with the axis (X) and a holding unit (22) mounted on the radial periphery of the star member (21), the holding unit (22) being configured to perform a holding phase during which the at least one container (B) is held at the radial periphery of the star member (21) by the holding unit; wherein: - the packaging machine (1) is configured such that the transporting phase and the filling phase are performed during the holding phase, so that the positioning of the at least one container (B) in each of the first filling station (3) and the second filling station (4) corresponds to the positioning of the holding unit (22) in the same station; - the lifting device (6) includes at least one lifting element (61) and is configured such that the lifting phase is performed by the at least one lifting element (61), thereby generating a movement of the holding unit (22) relative to the star member (21), the movement including at least a translational component in a direction parallel to the axis (X).

2. The packaging machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein: - the lifting device (6) is configured such that the movement is generated by a lifting action exerted on the holding unit (22) by the at least one lifting element (61), the lifting action being caused by the insertion position of at least one projection (611) in at least one groove (221), the at least one projection (611) being integral with the at least one lifting element (61) and the at least one groove (221) being integral with the holding unit (22), or vice versa; - the packaging machine (1) is configured such that the positioning of the holding unit (22) in the second filling station (4) corresponds to the insertion position.

3. The packaging machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: - the packaging machine (1) includes a capping station (9) configured to perform a capping phase during which, after the filling phase, the at least one container (B) is capped by at least one closure, the capping station (9) being positioned at a third angular position around the axis (X), the third angular position being different from the first angular position and the second angular position; - the conveyor (2) is configured such that the at least one container (B) is positioned in the capping station (9) by stepwise movement and after the filling phase; wherein: - the at least one container (B) includes a first container (B1) and a second container (B2); - the at least one closure (C) includes a first closure (C1) for capping the first container (B1) and a second closure (C2) for capping the second container (B2).

4. The packaging machine (1) according to claim 3, wherein, The capping station (9) includes: - A forked transfer element (91) comprising two arms (911a, 911b); - A pick-up sub-station (92), the capping station (9) being configured such that the capping phase includes a pick-up phase, during which, in the pick-up sub-station (92), the forked transfer element (91) picks up at least two of the closures (C1, C2) respectively by means of the two arms (911a, 911b); - An application sub-station (93), the capping station (9) being configured such that the capping phase includes an application phase, during which, in the application sub-station (93), at least the first closure (C1) and the second closure (C2) are respectively applied onto at least the first container (B1) and the second container (B2); The capping station (9) is configured such that the capping phase includes a transfer phase, during which the forked transfer element (91) transfers at least the first closure (C1) and the second closure (C2) from the pick-up sub-station (92) to the application sub-station (93) by means of a displacement of the forked transfer element (91).

5. The packaging machine (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The capping station (9) is configured such that the forked transfer element (91) picks up at least the second closure (C2) and the first closure (C1) one after the other, and picks up at least the first closure (C1) while the forked transfer element (91) is affected by the displacement.

6. The packaging machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising another capping station.

7. A packaging method for packaging a pourable product in at least one container (B), the packaging method comprising: - Providing a first filling station (3), the first filling station (3) being configured to fill the at least one container (B) by means of a first type of filling process and being positioned at a first angular position around an axis (X); - Providing a second filling station (4), the second filling station (4) being configured to fill the at least one container (B) by means of a second type of filling process, the second type being different from the first type and being a contact filling process, and the second angular position being different from the first angular position; - A preliminary selection phase, during which one of the first filling station (3) and the second filling station (4) is automatically selected according to an input (I) from a user; - A transportation phase, during which at least one container (B) is subsequently positioned in each of the first filling station (3) and the second filling station (4); A filling phase, which, according to the preliminary selection phase and during the transportation phase, during which the at least one container (B) is filled with a pourable product, the filling phase being carried out by the selected filling station while the at least one container (B) is positioned in the selected filling station, wherein: - Each of the first filling stations (3) and the second filling stations (4) includes at least one respective filling device (31; 41) for conveying a product according to a respective type of filling process, the filling phase including a conveying phase during which the product is conveyed to the at least one container (B) by the at least one filling device (41) of the selected station; - The filling phase includes a lifting phase prior to the conveying phase, during which the at least one container (B) is lifted by a lifting device (6) until the at least one container (B) comes into contact with the at least one filling device (41) of the selected filling station; - A holding phase, during which the at least one container (B) is held by a holding unit (22) mounted on the radial periphery of a conveying star (21) coaxial with the axis (X); wherein: - The conveying phase and the filling phase are carried out during the holding phase such that the positioning of the at least one container (B) in each of the first filling stations (3) and the second filling stations (4) corresponds to the positioning of the holding unit (22) in the same station; - The lifting phase is carried out by generating a movement of the holding unit (22) relative to the star (21) by means of at least one lifting element (61), the movement including at least a translational component in a direction parallel to the axis (X).

8. The method according to claim 7, comprising: - Providing a capping station (9) positioned at a third angular position around the axis (X) such that during the conveying phase and after the filling phase, the at least one container (B) is positioned in the capping station (9), the third angular position being different from the first angular position and the second angular position, - A capping phase, during which the at least one container (B) is capped by at least one closure (C) in the capping station and after the filling phase; wherein: - The at least one container (B) includes a first container (B1) and a second container (B2); - The at least one closure (C) includes a first closure (C1) for capping the first container (B1) after the capping phase and a second closure (C2) for capping the second container (B2) after the capping phase.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The capping phase includes: - A picking phase, during which in a picking sub-station (92), a fork-shaped transfer element (91) picks up at least the first closure (C1) and the second closure (C2) by means of a first arm (911a) and a second arm (911b) of the fork-shaped transfer element (91) respectively; - An application phase, during which in an application sub-station (93), at least the first closure (C1) and the second closure (C2) are applied to at least the first container (B1) and the second container (B2) respectively; Transfer phase, during which the forked transfer element (91) transfers at least the first closure (C1) and the second closure (C2) from the pick-up sub-station (92) to the application sub-station (93) by displacement of the forked transfer element (91).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein The forked transfer element (91) picks up at least the second closure (C2) and the first closure (C1) one after the other, and picks up at least the first closure (C1) while the forked transfer element (91) is affected by the displacement.

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