Abstract: A filling system includes a filling valve including an outlet opening and a sealing member movable relative between an outlet closing position, an outlet fully open position and at least one outlet partially open position. A linear actuator operatively connected to move the sealing member, the linear actuator including a first member movable between an extend position and a retract position, and a second member movable between an extend position, a first retract position and a second retract position. The first retract position of the second member is defined by contact with a distal portion of the first movable member when the first movable member is in its extend position and the second retract position of the second member is defined by contact with the distal portion of the first member when the first member is in its retract position.

Abstract: A bottle neck gripper includes first and second jaw components, each pivotally mounted for rotation about a respective pivot axis, the first jaw component including a first permanent magnet mounted thereon, the second jaw component including a second permanent magnet mounted thereon. The first permanent magnet and second permanent magnet are positioned to be attracted to each other. An attractive force of the magnets urges grip ends of the first and second jaw components toward each other. The pivot axis of the first jaw component is located between the first permanent magnet and the grip end, and the pivot axis of the second jaw component is located between the second permanent magnet and the grip end.