Filling machine and method of operating the same

A method of operating a filling machine comprising:

• a container precursor forming unit configured for forming bottom-sealed container precursors;
• a processing unit comprising at least one processing station for processing the container precursors;
• a conveyor system configured for conveying container precursors through the at least one processing station, the conveyor system comprising a plurality of first shuttles or carriers configured for carrying the container precursors along a first track through the at least one processing station and a first shuttle propulsion system allowing each first shuttle or carrier to be individually propelled along the first track;
• and a transfer unit configured for transferring the bottom-sealed container precursors from the forming unit to the processing unit, the transfer unit comprising a plurality of second shuttles or carriers configured for carrying the container precursors along a second track from the forming unit to the processing unit and a second shuttle propulsion system allowing each second shuttle or carrier to be individually propelled along the second track, characterised by the second shuttles or carriers being received in the transfer station in single file and the container precursors being transferred to the processing unit in two or more parallel processing lanes, and by the container precursors being conveyed through the least one processing station in the first shuttles or carriers traveling along the first track.