Filling machine including two-stage actuator for filling valve

A filling system, comprising:

• a filling valve including an outlet opening and an axially movable plunger having a sealing end movable relative to the outlet opening between an outlet closing position, an outlet fully open position and at least one outlet partially open position;
• a pneumatic actuator operatively connected to move the plunger, the pneumatic actuator including:
• an upper piston assembly movable between a down position and an up position, and
• a lower piston assembly movable between a down position and at least a first up position and a second up position,
• wherein the first and second up positions of the lower piston assembly are defined by contact with a lower portion of the upper piston assembly to establish (i) the first up position of the lower piston assembly when the upper piston assembly is in its down position and (ii) the second up position of the lower piston assembly when the upper piston assembly is in its up position.

A method of controlling a filling valve to fill a container with a material, wherein the filling valve includes an outlet opening and a sealing member movable relative to the outlet opening between an outlet closing position, at least one outlet partially open position and an outlet fully open position, the method comprising:

• utilizing a linear actuator operatively connected to move the sealing member, the linear actuator including an upper member movable between a down position and an up position, and a lower member movable between a down position and at least a first up position and a second up position that is higher than the first up position;
• controlling the linear actuator to place the upper member in its down position and the lower member to be in contact with a lower portion of the upper member to establish the first up position of the lower member, which places the sealing member in the outlet partially open position to dispense the material at a first flow rate;
• and
• controlling the linear actuator to place the upper member its up position and the lower member to be in contact with the lower portion of the upper member to establish the second up position of the lower member, which places the sealing member in the outlet fully open position to dispense the material at a second flow rate, which is higher than the first flow rate.