A method of handling containers with a container handling machine such as a container filling machine, a container closing machine, and a container labeling machine;
- said method comprising the steps of:
- installing and connecting an interchangeable container drive device with one of a plurality of container carriers on said container handling machine;
- querying a memory of said interchangeable container drive device for any installed interchangeable container drive device control programs;
- upon recognizing an installed interchangeable container drive device control program in said memory of said interchangeable container drive device, identifying said installed interchangeable container drive device control program in said memory of said interchangeable container drive device;
- transferring an interchangeable container drive device control program from a memory of a container handling machine controller apparatus to said memory of said interchangeable container drive device, via a communication connection;
- upon recognizing an installed interchangeable container drive device control program in said memory of said interchangeable container drive device, rewriting said memory of said interchangeable container drive device with said container handling machine controller apparatus, via said communication connection;
- and
- handling said containers with said container handling machine, such as a container filling machine, a container closing machine, and a container labeling machine.