FILLING SYSTEM FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH A LIQUID FILLING MATERIAL, AND FILLING MACHINE

The invention relates to a filling system for filling containers (2) with a liquid filling material, comprising at least one filling material tank (5) providing the filling material, and at least one filling element (1.1) for the controlled discharge of the filling material into the container which is arranged in a sealing position on the filling element in a filling phase of the filling. Furthermore, at least one flow path (20) for a liquid and/or gaseous medium is formed in the filling element, wherein the flow path is connected to the interior of the container to be filled at least during the filling phase and wherein return gas displaced from the container during the filling phase can be discharged via said flow path and/or displaced filling material can be returned to the filling material tank via said flow path. The present invention is further characterized in that at least one valve device (26, 27) is provided at least in the flow path, which can be continuously adjusted between an open and/or closed position and by which a volume flow of the liquid and/or gaseous medium flowing through the flow path can be continuously controlled and/or regulated.