Container filling plant for handling different containers, and a method of operating a container filling plant for handling different containers

A method of operating a container filling plant for filling containers, such as bottles, said plant comprising:

• a plurality of container handling machines comprising:
• a cleaning or rinsing machine to clean or rinse containers;
• a filling machine to fill cleaned containers;
• a closing machine to apply a closure to filled containers;
• and
• a labeling or printing machine to apply labels or print information on closed containers;
• a plurality of container moving arrangements to move containers to and from said container handling machines;
• each of said container moving arrangements comprising a star wheel and a corresponding guide structure to guide containers moved by said star wheel;
• at least one of said star wheel and said guide structure comprising at least one format part and at least one support part;
• said at least one format part being configured to handle a first type of containers, and being removable to permit installation of a different format part configured to handle a second type of containers having at least one different dimension than the first type of containers, to permit said container moving arrangements to move containers of different dimensions;
• said at least one format part comprises at least one connecting element;
• said at least one support structure comprises a receiving element;
• said at least one format part is detachably connected to said at least one support structure by connection of said at least one connecting element to said receiving element;
• said at least one connecting element is a locking pin comprising a connection end;
• said receiving element comprises at least one latching element configured to receive said connection end;
• said at least one connecting element being disposed to pass through said format part and detachably connect said format part to said at least one support structure;
• and
• said format part and said at least one connecting element are configured to permit insertion and removal of said format part along a vertical direction essentially parallel to a vertical, rotational axis of said star wheel;
• and
• said method comprising the steps of:
• handling said first type of containers with said container handling machines;
• moving said first type of containers to and/or from said container handling machines using said container moving arrangements;
• removing said at least one format part from said at least one support structure, along said vertical direction, upon a change in containers from said first type of containers to a second type of containers having at least one different dimension than said first type of containers;
• said step of removing comprising detaching said at least one connecting element from said receiving element by disconnecting said connection end from said latching element;
• installing said different format part configured to handle said second type of containers;
• said step of installing comprising inserting said at least one connecting element through said different format part, and then inserting said connection end in said latching element, and thereby detachably connecting said different format part to said at least one support structure;
• handling said second type of containers with said container handling machines;
• and
• moving said second type of containers to and/or from said container handling machines using said container moving arrangements.