with reference to the fig2 a container 1 which , in a rotating filling machine of the known type , is filled with liquid by means of a filling valve or tap 2 without any seal being provided between the mouth of the container and the tap , so that the air expelled from the container during filling escapes into the surrounding environment . the container 1 is provided with a projecting neck 24 and is supported by fixed supporting means 25 , for example a fork . a dummy bottle ( or washing container ) 3 which , in the rest condition , is mounted on a support 4 formed as the bottom end of the tap 2 , so as to act as a stopper for the dummy bottle . the support 4 is rigidly fixed to a frame 6 of the filling machine . the dummy bottle 3 is provided with a rigid duct 5 through which flushing fluid is circulated during the machine washing phases . the duct 5 constitutes both supporting means and moving means for the dummy bottle 3 . the dummy bottle 3 is shaped in such a way as to be placed , either when in an active position or when in rest position , at a level which is higher than the level of the supporting means 25 for the projecting neck 24 of the container 1 . the duct 6 is provided with a projection 7 acted on by a cam 8 which causes the translatory movement of the duct 5 along its own axis inside support guides 9 and 10 . the duct 5 is provided with anti - rotational elements which , in fig2 consist of lateral lugs 11 which slide in corresponding grooves of the guide 10 and which have the purpose of preventing rotational movements of the duct 5 about its longitudinal axis . the dummy bottle 3 is provided internally with a gasket 18 ( fig1 ) designed to form a seal against the tap 2 and , alternately , against the support 4 . while the guide 9 is rigidly fixed to the rotating frame of the filling machine , the guide 10 is movable with respect thereto , being operated by a lever mechanism consisting of a block 12 on which the guide 10 is pivotably hinged . the block 12 is in turn able to rotate about a fixed pin 13 . the block 12 is in fact provided with a stud 14 which , during rotation of the filling machine , is displaced by a cam which causes movement of the block 12 from the position illustrated in fig1 where the guide 10 is situated in the fully raised position , to the position illustrated in fig2 where the guide 10 is situated at a lower level such as to allow the translatory movement of the duct 5 and the dummy bottle without any interference with the support 4 and with the tap 2 . in the position shown in fig1 the fulcrum 21 is located beyond the top dead centre of the block 12 , which rests on the frame 6 of the filling machine . with this excellent mechanical solution , during the flushing cycle , the dummy bottle is prevented from being lowered even when there is strong pressure exerted by the flushing liquid on the dummy bottle itself . the guides 9 and 10 , together with the cams 8 and 15 and the projection 7 , the stud 14 and the block 12 together form a device for actuating a dummy bottle . each tap of the filling machine has associated with it a dummy bottle and an associated actuating device . according to the method for actuating the dummy bottle , when it is required to perform a filling - machine flushing cycle , a normal filling cycle is substantially simulated with the filling machine rotating , having flowing through it , in place of the filling liquid , a flushing fluid which , instead of filling the containers , enters the dummy bottles and flows into the ducts 5 -- one for each tap -- which converge into a header 19 . when it is necessary to perform a flushing cycle , the cams 8 and 15 are displaced into an active position by actuator means , not illustrated since they are of a type which is substantially known . the first cam 15 causes displacement of the stud 14 in the direction indicated by an arrow 16 , causing rotation of the block 12 about the pin 13 and consequent lowering of the guide 10 and hence the dummy bottle which is lowered underneath the zone of interference with the support 4 and with the tap 2 . at this point the second cam 8 intervenes and displaces the projection 7 , causing forward movement of the duct 5 and bringing the dummy bottle coaxially underneath the tap ( position 3a of fig2 ). the first cam 15 displaces the stud 14 , moving it in the direction of the arrow 17 and causing raising of the dummy bottle until it forms a seal with the tap ( position 3b in fig1 ). at this point , flushing may be activated and the flushing fluid may flow in the normal direction of the filling liquid , indicated by the arrow 20 , from the tap towards the dummy bottle and hence towards the outlet duct 5 , or it may flow in the opposite direction and enter the dummy bottle via the duct 5 , flowing out then through the tap . the flushing liquid may therefore flow in two directions , as illustrated by the arrow 22 , namely it may flow in the same direction or opposite direction . all this may occur at the ambient pressure or higher . at the end of the flushing cycle the first cam 15 moves the stud 14 in the direction of the arrow 16 , causing lowering of the dummy bottle ; the cam 8 then intervenes and causes retraction of the duct 5 , followed finally by the cam 15 again which causes raising of the dummy bottle into the rest position associated with the support 4 . with the present device it is possible to maintain a sufficiently small interval between the taps of the filling machine , even though they are provided with dummy bottles ; in fact , the latter are not positioned laterally with respect to the tap , but in a position at the rear of the latter . a further advantage is represented by the presence of ducts through which the flushing fluid flows , the latter being able to be introduced at a pressure higher than the ambient pressure . the particular hinging arrangement between the guide 10 and block 12 ensures moreover a perfect seal between the dummy bottle 3 and tap 2 even in the presence of intense pressures during the flushing cycle .