A filling machine for filling containers with a liquid filling material, the filling machine includes a transport element with filling elements arranged thereon, each forming a filling point for filling a container. Each filling element has a housing having a discharge opening, a channel formed in the housing. The channel connects to a product line to supply the filling material, and a liquid valve, a measurement system provided separately for each filling element for determining filling level, filling material quantity, or filling material volume in a container, a controlled gas path associated with each filling element, and a control valve fitted to the controlled gas path. At least two filling points and their filling elements define a function-and-process unit, and a control valve is provided in common for a gas path of all filling elements of a function-and-process unit.