an apparatus for processing containers includes a container - filling system having filling - point pairs in which each filling point has a filling element . each filling element has a channel formed in a housing , a liquid valve in the channel that controls flow through a dispensing opening . the filling system also has internal and external gas - paths that are internal and external relative to the filling elements . these gas paths connect to each other . a gas - path control - valve controls the external path . nothing controls the internal path . a stand - alone control module contains part of the external gas - path and the gas - path control - valve .