阅读说明：本技术 用于包装可倾倒食品的机器和方法 (Machine and method for packaging pourable food products ) 是由 罗伯托·佐尼 于 2021-05-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于将可倾倒产品包装在至少一个容器(B)中的包装方法和被配置用于执行该方法的机器,通过该包装方法,改进了被配置用于执行该方法的包装机器(1)在待包装的产品类型方面的灵活性。(The present invention relates to a packaging method for packaging pourable products in at least one container (B) and a machine configured for carrying out the method, by which packaging method the flexibility of a packaging machine (1) configured for carrying out the method in terms of the type of product to be packaged is improved.)

1. Packaging machine (1) for packaging pourable products in at least one container (B), said packaging machine (1) comprising:

-a first filling station (3) configured for filling at least one container (B) by a first type of filling process, the first station (3) being positioned in a first angular position about an axis (X) defined by the machine (1);

-a second filling station (4) configured for filling said at least one container (B) by a second type of filling process different from said first type, said second station (4) being positioned in a second angular position around said axis (X) and said second type being a contact filling process, said second angular position being different from said first angular position;

-a control unit (5) connected to said filling stations (3, 4) and configured to perform a preliminary selection phase during which one of said filling stations (3, 4) is automatically selected according to an input (I) from a user;

-a conveyor (2) configured to perform a conveying phase during which said at least one container (B) is subsequently positioned in each of said stations (3, 4) at least by a stepwise rotational movement of said conveyor (2) around said axis (X) and with respect to said stations (3, 4);

wherein the machine (1) is configured to perform, according to the selection phase and during the transport phase, a filling phase during which the at least one container (B) is filled with the pourable product, the filling phase being performed by the selected station (4) while positioning the at least one container (B) in the selected station (4).

2. The machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein:

-each of said stations (3, 4) comprises a respective at least one filling device (31; 41) for conveying a product according to a respective type of filling process, the machine being configured such that said filling phase comprises a conveying phase during which said product is conveyed to said container (B) by said at least one filling device (31; 41) of the selected station;

-the machine (1) comprises lifting means (6) and is configured so that the filling phase comprises a lifting phase preceding the transfer phase, during which the at least one container (B) is lifted by the lifting means (6) until it comes into contact with the at least one filling means (41) of the selected station (4).

3. Machine (1) according to claim 2, comprising:

-an upper frame (7) located at a higher level with respect to the conveyor (2) with respect to the axis (X);

-a lower frame (8) located at a lower level with respect to the conveyor (2) with respect to the axis (X);

wherein the first station (3) is fixed in the first angular position by the upper frame (7);

wherein the second station and the lifting device (6) are fixed in the second angular position by the upper frame (7) and the lower frame (8), respectively.

4. Machine (1) according to claim 3, wherein:

-the conveyor (2) comprises a star (21) coaxial with the axis (X) and a holding unit (22) mounted on a radial periphery of the star (21), the holding unit (22) being configured for performing a holding phase during which the at least one container (B) is held at the radial periphery of the star (2) by the holding unit;

wherein:

-the machine (1) is configured such that during the holding phase the transport phase and the filling phase are performed such that the positioning of the at least one container (B) in each of the stations (3, 4) corresponds to the positioning of the holding unit (22) in the same station (3; 4);

-said lifting device (6) comprises at least one lifting element (61) and is configured such that said lifting phase is performed by said at least one lifting element (61) so as to generate a movement of said holding unit (22) with respect to said star (21), said movement comprising at least a translation component in a direction parallel to said axis (X).

5. Machine (1) according to claim 4, wherein:

-said lifting means (6) are configured so that said movement is generated by a lifting action exerted by said at least one lifting element (61) on said holding unit (22), said lifting action being caused by an insertion position of at least one protrusion (611) in at least one groove (221), said at least one protrusion (611) being integral with said at least one lifting element (61) and said at least one groove (221) being integral with said holding unit (22), or vice versa;

-the machine (1) is configured so that the positioning of the holding unit (22) in the second station (4) corresponds to the insertion position.

6. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein:

-the machine (1) comprises a capping station (9) configured for performing 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 about the axis (X), the third angular position being different from the first and second angular positions;

-said conveyor (2) is configured so that said at least one container (B) is positioned in said capping station (9) through said stepwise movement and after said filling phase;

wherein:

-said at least one container (B) comprises a first container (B1) and a second container (B2);

-the at least one closure (C) comprises a first closure (C1) for capping the first container (B1) and a second closure (C2) for capping the second container (B2).

7. Machine (1) according to claim 6, wherein said capping station (9) comprises:

-a fork-like transfer element (91) comprising two arms (911a, 911 b);

-a pick-up substation (92), the capping station (9) being configured so that the capping phase comprises a pick-up phase during which, in the pick-up substation (92), the transfer element (91) picks up at least two of the closures (C1, C2) by means of the two arms (911a, 911b), respectively;

-an application substation (93), said capping station (9) being configured such that said capping phase comprises an application phase during which, in said application substation (93), at least said first closure (C1) and said second closure (C2) are applied respectively on at least said first container (B1) and said second container (B2);

the capping station (9) is configured such that it comprises a transfer phase during which the transfer element (91) transfers at least the first closures (C1) and the second closures (C2) from the pick-up sub-station (92) to the application sub-station (93) by displacement of the transfer element (91).

8. Machine (1) according to claim 7, wherein said capping station (9) is configured so that said transfer element (91) picks up at least said second closures (C2) and first closures (C1) one after the other and picks up at least said first closures (C1) while said transfer element (91) is affected by said displacement.

9. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a further capping station (9').

10. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first type is a hot-fill process.

11. Packaging method for packaging a pourable product in at least one container (B), said packaging method comprising:

-providing a first filling station (3), said first filling station (3) being configured for filling said at least one container (B) by a first type of filling process and being positioned at a first angular position about an axis (X);

-providing a second filling station (4), said second filling station (4) being configured for filling said at least one container (B) by a second type of filling process and being positioned at a second angular position about said axis (X), said second type being different from said first type and being a contact filling process, said second angular position being different from said first angular position;

-a preliminary selection phase during which one of the filling stations (3, 4) is automatically selected according to an input (I) from a user;

-a transport phase during which at least one container (B) is subsequently positioned in each of said stations (3, 4);

a filling phase during which said at least one container (B) is filled with a pourable product according to said selection phase and during said transport phase, said filling phase being performed by the selected station (4) while positioning said at least one container (B) in the selected station (4).

12. The method of claim 11, wherein:

-each of said stations (3, 4) comprises a respective at least one filling device (31; 41) for conveying the product according to a respective type of filling process, said filling phase comprising a conveying phase during which the product is conveyed by said at least one filling device (41) of the selected station to said at least one container (B);

-said filling phase comprises a lifting phase preceding said transfer phase, during which said at least one container (B) is lifted by said lifting means (6) until it comes into contact with said at least one filling means (41) of the selected station (4).

13. The method of claim 12, comprising:

-a holding phase during which said at least one container (B) is held by said holding unit (22), said holding unit (22) being mounted on the radial periphery of a transport star (21) coaxial with said axis (X);

wherein:

-performing the transport phase and the filling phase during the holding phase, so that the positioning of the at least one container (B) in each of the stations (3, 4) corresponds to the positioning of the holding unit (22) in the same station (3; 4);

-said lifting phase is performed by at least one lifting element (61) generating a movement of said holding unit (22) with respect to said star (21), said movement comprising at least a translation component in a direction parallel to said axis (X).

14. The method according to any of the preceding claims 11 to 13, comprising:

-providing a capping station (9), said capping station (9) being positioned at a third angular position around said axis (X), said third angular position being different from said first and second angular positions, so that during said transport phase and after said filling phase, said at least one container (B) is positioned in said capping station (9).

-a capping phase during which, in said capping station and after said filling phase, said at least one container (B) is capped by at least one closure (C);

wherein:

-said at least one container (B) comprises a first container (B1) and a second container (B2);

-said at least one closure (C) comprises a first closure (C1) to cap said first container (B1) after said capping stage and a second closure (C2) to cap said second container (B2) after said capping stage.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the capping stage (9) comprises:

-a picking phase during which, in a picking substation (92), a fork-like transfer element (91) picks up at least the first closure (C1) and the second closure (C2) respectively by means of a first arm (911a) and a second arm (911b) of the transfer element (91);

-an application phase during which, in an application substation (93), the at least first and second closures (C1, C2) are applied on at least the first and second containers (B1, B2), respectively;

a transfer phase during which the transfer element (91) transfers at least the first and second closures (C1, C2) from the pick-up sub-station (92) to the application sub-station (93) by displacement of the transfer element (91).

16. Machine (1) according to claim 15, wherein said transfer element (91) picks up at least said second closures (C2) and first closures (C1) one after the other and picks up at least said first closures (C1) while said transfer element (91) is affected by said displacement.

Technical Field

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

Background

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

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

In general, the filling devices are all configured for the same type of filling process suitable for all filling devices to fill the respective containers, and thus the filling devices are configured for the same type of product.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a packaging method for packaging a pourable product in at least one container, by which method the flexibility of a packaging machine for performing the method in terms of the type of product to be packaged is improved.

The packaging method according to the invention or according to any of the appended method claims achieves the object of improving the flexibility of the machine.

The invention also relates to a packaging machine configured for carrying out the method according to the invention.

The packaging machine of any of the appended machine claims is configured to perform the method of any of the appended method claims.

The characteristics of the method and machine according to the invention will be made clearer by the following non-limiting description of various respective exemplary embodiments of the method and machine according to the invention.

The following brief description of the drawings and detailed description relate to possible exemplary embodiments of the packaging method according to the invention. Hereinafter, the term "method" is intended to mean the exemplary embodiment of the method.

The following brief description of the drawings and the detailed description relate to possible exemplary embodiments of the packaging machine according to the invention. In the following, the term "machine" is intended to mean the described exemplary embodiment of the machine.

The machine is configured to perform the method. The method is particularly suited to be performed by the machine.

Drawings

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the machine;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the machine;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a filling station of the machine;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a second filling station of the machine with at least one container in a lowered position in which the at least one container is not in contact with the second filling station;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the second filling station with at least one container in a raised position in which the at least one container is in contact with the second filling station;

FIG. 6 is a view of the second filling station with a first container of the at least one container in a lowered position and a second container of the at least one container in a raised position;

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of at least one protrusion integral with at least one lifting element of the second station, and at least one recess integral with a holding unit of a conveyor of the machine, with the first container and the second container in a lowered position;

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the capping station of the machine with the transfer element of the capping station in a first position relative to the application and pickup sub-stations of the capping station;

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the capping station of the machine with the transfer element of the capping station in a second position relative to the application and pickup sub-stations of the capping station;

FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the capping station of the machine with the transfer element of the capping station in a third position relative to the application and pickup sub-stations of the capping station;

figure 11 is a perspective view of the machine showing possible additional features of the machine.

Detailed Description

The machine is indicated with 1 in figures 1 and 2. The machine is used for packaging pourable products in at least one container B.

The pourable product may be, for example, a pourable food product. The pourable food product may be, for example, a carbonated product, or a non-carbonated product (which may be referred to as a non-foamed product), or a hot-filled product (which needs to be transferred to the at least one container B while in a hot state).

The pourable food product may be water or any other kind of beverage.

The container B may be any kind of vessel, such as a bottle.

The machine comprises a first filling station 3. The first filling station 3 is configured for filling at least one container B by a first type of filling process.

The first filling station 3 comprises at least one filling device 31, the at least one filling device 31 being configured for transferring the product to at least one container B according to a first type of filling process.

The first type of filling process may be, for example, a non-contact filling process (also called a contactless filling process), according to which at least one container B is not in contact with at least one filling device 31 during the transfer of the product to the at least one container B. For example, where the product is a non-carbonated or non-foaming product, a non-contact filling method may be employed.

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

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

The first filling station 3 is positioned at a first angular position about the axis X. The axis X is defined by the machine 1. This axis is only shown in fig. 2. The axis X is orthogonal to the plane of fig. 2.

The machine comprises a second filling station 4. The second filling station 4 is configured for filling at least one container B by a second type of filling process. The second type may be, for example, a contact filling process. In any event, the second type is different from the first type.

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.

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

Both the first type and the second type may belong to the general category of contact filling processes. In this case, the first type and the second type differ at least in a characteristic or parameter of the filling process.

This may be the case, for example: the first type is a contact hot fill process, and the second type is a contact fill process (which is also not a hot fill process).

This may be the case, for example: the first type is a non-contact filling process and the second type is a contact filling process.

Typically, the first type of filling process differs from the second type of filling process in said at least one characteristic or parameter of the filling process.

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

The second filling station 4 is positioned at a second angular position about said axis X. The second angular position is different from the first angular position.

The machine 1 comprises 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 input I of the user. Generally, the input I depends on the type of filling process and therefore on the type of product to be packaged. The control unit 5 is only schematically shown in fig. 2.

The first and second angular positions can be seen in fig. 1 and 2.

In the following, the second filling station 4 is explained as an example of a selected station.

The at least one filling device 31 of the first station 3 may comprise, for example, a respective first filling device 31a and a respective second filling device 31 b. The at least one filling device 41 of the second station 4 may comprise, for example, a respective first filling device 41a and a respective second filling device 41 b.

In this case, the 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 may be any kind of vessel, such as a bottle.

Each of the respective first filling device 31a and the respective second filling device 31B of the first station 3 is configured to transfer the product to the first container B1 and to the second container B2, respectively, according to a first type of filling process.

Each of the respective first filling device 41a and the respective second filling device 41B of the second station 4 is configured to transfer the product to the first container B1 and to the second container B2, respectively, according to a second type of filling process.

The machine 1 comprises an upper frame 7. The upper frame 7 is shown in fig. 1 to 6.

The machine 1 comprises a lower frame 8. The lower frame 8 is shown in fig. 1, 2 and 3.

The first station 3 is fixed in said first angular position by the upper frame 7.

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

The machine 1 comprises a conveyor 2. The conveyor is shown in fig. 1 and 2.

The upper frame 7 is located at a higher level with respect to the conveyor 2 with respect to the axis X.

The lower frame 8 is located at a lower level with respect to said axis X with respect to said conveyor 2.

The conveyor 2 is configured to perform a transport phase. During the transport phase, at least one container B is subsequently positioned in each of the stations 3 and 4, at least by a stepwise rotational movement of the conveyor 2 about the axis X and with respect to the stations 3 and 4.

The machine 1 is configured to perform a filling phase according to said selection phase and during said delivery phase. During the filling phase, at least one container B is filled with the pourable product. The filling phase is performed by the selected station 4. The filling phase is carried out while positioning at least one container B in the selected station 4.

In this way, the flexibility of the machine 1 in terms of the type of product to be delivered to the at least one container B is improved, since by modifying the input I of the control unit 5 it is possible to switch between the filling processes of the first type and the filling processes of the second type very quickly.

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

The upper frame 7, which defines 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 interfering with the movement of the conveyor 2. In this way, the compactness of the machine 1 is improved. In this way the mechanical complexity of machine 1 is also improved, since machine 1 does not require complex systems to allow stations 3 and 4 to adapt to the movement of conveyor 2 in order to perform the filling phase.

The machine 1 is configured so that the filling phase comprises a transfer phase during which the product is transferred to at least one container B by means of at least one filling device 41 of a selected station 4.

More particularly, during the transfer phase, the products are transferred by the respective first filling devices 41a of the selected station 4 to the first container B1 and by the respective second filling devices 41B of the selected station 4 to the second container B2.

The transfer of the product to the first container B1 and the transfer of the product to the second container B2 preferably occur simultaneously or at least partially simultaneously.

The machine 1 comprises a lifting device 6. The lifting device is shown in fig. 3, 4, 5.

The machine 1 is configured so that the filling phase comprises a lifting phase preceding the transfer phase. During the lifting phase, at least one container B is lifted by the lifting means 6 until it comes into contact with at least one filling means 41 of the selected station 4.

Fig. 3 shows the at least one container B in a situation in which it is in the selected station 4 before the lifting phase, while it is in a lowered position with respect to the at least one filling device 41 of the selected station 4. More particularly, during the lifting phase, the first container B1 is lifted by the lifting means 6 until it comes into contact with the respective first filling means 41a of the selected station 4. More particularly, during the lifting phase, the second container B2 is lifted by the lifting means 6 until it comes into contact with the corresponding second filling means 41B of the selected station 4.

Fig. 4 shows the first container B1 and the second container B2 in a situation in which, before the lifting phase, they are in the selected station 4, while they are in a lowered position with respect to the respective first filling device 41a and second filling device 41B of the selected station 4. Fig. 5 shows the first container B1 and the second container B2 in a situation in which, after the lifting phase, they are in the selected station 4, while they are in the lifted position, in which they are in contact with the respective first filling device 41a and second filling device 41B of the selected station 4, respectively.

Fig. 6 shows the first container B1 in a lowered position and the second container B2 in a raised position. The situation of fig. 6 may not occur during this method.

However, the lifting of first container B1 and the lifting of second container B2 are preferably performed simultaneously, or at least partially simultaneously.

The lifting device 6 is fixed in said second angular position by the lower frame 8. This allows the lifting means 6 to be able 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, since the machine 1 does not require complex systems to avoid interference between the lifting means 6 and the conveyor 2, and at the same time allows the lifting means 6 to perform the lifting phase.

The conveyor 2 comprises a star 21. Star 21 is shown in fig. 2. The star 21 is coaxial with said axis X. The axis X may be considered to be the axis of the star 21. The conveyor comprises a holding unit 22. The holding unit 2 is mounted on the radial periphery of the star 21. The position of the holding unit 22 on the radial periphery is shown in fig. 2.

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

The machine 1 is configured so that during said holding phase a delivery phase and a filling phase are performed. Thus, the positioning of at least one container B in the first station 3 corresponds to the positioning of the holding unit 22 in the first station 3, and the positioning of at least one container B in the second station 4 corresponds to the positioning of at least one container B in the second station 4.

The lifting device 6 comprises at least one lifting element 61. The lifting device 6 is configured such that the lifting phase is performed by a movement of the holding unit 22 with respect to the star 21. This movement comprises at least a translational component in a direction parallel to said 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.

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

The first lifting element 61a and the second lifting element 61b are shown in fig. 4, 5 and 7.

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

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

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

The machine 1 is configured so that the positioning of the holding unit 22 in the second station 4 corresponds to said insertion position of the at least one projection 611 in the at least one groove 221.

In this way, the lifting means 6 can be used to lift at least one container B in the case where the second filling station 4 is the selected station 4, while allowing the positioning of the holding unit 2 in the second station 4 without interfering with the lifting means 6 in the case where the second station 4 is not the selected station. Thus, the switching between the filling process of the first type to the filling process of the second type can be very simple, since it does not require any complex mechanical intervention on the machine 1.

In particular, the at least one protrusion 611 includes a first protrusion 611a and a second protrusion 611 b.

The first and second protrusions 611a and 611b are shown in fig. 7.

In particular, the at least one groove 221 includes a first groove 221a and a second groove 221 b.

The first groove 221a and the second groove 221b are shown in fig. 7.

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

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

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

The machine 1 is configured so 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 221 b.

The machine 1 comprises a capping station 9. The capping station 9 is shown in figures 1, 8, 9 and 10.

The capping station 9 is configured for performing a capping phase. The capping stage is performed after the filling stage. During the capping stage, 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 said axis X. The third angular position is different from the first angular position and the second angular position.

The conveyor 2 is configured so that at least one container B passes through said stepwise movement and is positioned in the capping station 9 after the filling stage.

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.

The capping station 9 comprises a fork-shaped transfer element 91. The transfer member 91 includes a first arm 911a and a second arm 911 b.

The capping station includes a pickup sub-station 92. The capping station 9 is configured such that the capping phase comprises a pick-up phase. The picking phase is performed in a picking substation 92. During the pick-up phase, the transfer element 91 picks up at least the first and second closures C1, C2 by means of the first and second arms 911, 911b, respectively.

The pick-up substation 92 comprises a dispenser 921, the dispenser 921 being configured to dispense at least a first closure piece C1 and a second closure piece C2.

During the pick-up phase, the transfer element 91 unloads at least the first closure element C1 and the second closure element C2 from the dispenser 921 by means of the first arm 911 and the second arm 911b, respectively.

The capping station 9 comprises an application substation 93. The capping station 9 is configured such that the capping phase comprises an application phase. The application phase is performed in an application substation 93. The application substation comprises a first capping head 931a and a second capping head 931 b. During the application phase, the first closure C1 is applied on the first container B1 by the first capping head 931 a. During the application phase, the second closure C2 is applied on the second container B2 by the second capping head 931B.

The capping station 9 is configured such that the capping phase comprises a transfer phase. During the transfer phase, the transfer element 91 transfers at least the first and second closures C1, C2 from the pick-up substation 92 to the application substation 93 by displacement of the transfer element 91. The fork-like elements 91 allow picking up the first and second closures C1, C2 in a manner that allows simultaneous or at least partially simultaneous performance of the capping of the first and second containers B1, B2. In this way, the productivity of the machine 1, which is also provided with the capping station 9, is improved.

The capping station 9 is configured so that the transfer element 91 picks up at least said second closures C2 and first closures C1 one after the other. In fig. 8, the transfer element 91 is in the pick-up substation 92 and has not picked up any of the first and second closures C1, C2. In fig. 10, the transfer element 91 is in an application substation 93. In fig. 9, the transfer element 91 has picked up the second closures C2, but has not picked up the first closures C1.

The capping station 9 is configured so that the transfer element 91 picks up the first closures C1 while the transfer element 91 is affected by displacements from the pick-up sub-station 92 and the application sub-station 93. While considering the situation of fig. 9, during said displacement the transfer element 91 is ready to also detach the first closure C1 from the dispenser 921.

In this way, the dispenser can dispense one closure at a time. Consequently, the capping station 9 and therefore also the mechanical complexity of the machine 1 are reduced.

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

The machine may include a further capping station 9'. This may improve the productivity of the machine. This option is shown in fig. 11.

The further capping station 9' may have one or more of the features of the capping station 9, or all of the features of the capping station 9.

The machine 1 may be configured so 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 is reduced to define a path from the input (in which the machine 1 receives at least one container B) to the output (in which the machine releases at least one container B).

The method comprises the above stages.

Clearly, changes may be made to machine 1 and to the method without, however, departing from the protective scope defined in the accompanying claims.