US2355479A - Cap-feeding apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Aug' 8, 1944 H. E. STOVER l 2,355,479

Aug. 8, 1944. E STOVER 2,355,479 l cAP-FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 23, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Harry E* Si'ovzr M, ff/wa,

ATTORNEYS Aug. 8, 1944. H. E. STO-VER 2,355,479

' CAP-FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 23, 1942 5 sheets-sheet 5 S mm. a @.m, m5. M. EE O o ne@ @wm- W .5 8 a @Q |w.fA H

. @Q Y d; K Ni @v Omi i Q Y I iai Aug' 8, 1944- H. E. sTovER 2,355,479

CAP-FEEDING AP PARATUS Hurry El Sfoven ATTORN EYS Aug. 8, 1944.

I CAP-FEEDING `APPARATUS Filed Jan. 23, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Hurry E. Sfover MY Lm H. E. STOVER Y 2,355,479

Patented Aug. 8, 1944 CAP -FEEDING APPARATUS Harry E. Stover, Oonnellsvlle, Pa., assignor to Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation, Lancaster, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application January 23, 1942, Serial No. 427,966

14 Claims.

My invention relates to cap-feeding apparatus. It has to do, more particularly, with apparatus for feeding caps from a source of supply and applying them to containers, such `as food containers and including jars, bottles, cans, et cetera, preparatory to sealing them on said containers.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a simple and-effective apparatus for feeding caps from a source of supply into position to be engaged by the upper ends of containers to be sealed thereby which are moved along by a conveyer.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus which will automatically release caps from a cap magazine and feed them into' position to be engaged by the top of the containers without any manual intervention by the operator.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cap-feeding and applying unit of such a nature that the cap can be withdrawn therefrom by a container on a moving conveyer Without danger of upsetting the container.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cap-feeding apparatus of such a nature that the cap which is fed into position to be engaged by a container will not drop from the cap-feeding mechanism until it is positively withdrawn by the passing container.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cap-feeding unit having a magazine for a vertically disposed stack of caps and which is of such a nature that the lowermost cap will be separated from the stack while'the stack is supported in position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cap-feeding apparatus including a magazine and cap-feedingunit which can be removed and replaced readily when different size caps are to be used.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cap-feeding unit wherein the cap-feeding parts are so mounted that they are self-aligning rand there will be no danger of binding of such parts.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cap-feeding unit having a magazine for a vertically disposed stack of caps which is of such a nature that the caps will be maintained in proper nested relationship and which is of such a nature that a stack of nested caps can be inserted readily into the magazine.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cap-feeding apparatus which has an operating trigger engaged by a container moved into association therewithV and which .is provided With means for keeping the triggerv and associated parts clean.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cap-feeding apparatus which is provided with uid-actuated control and operating mechanism that is more positive and more eicient.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cap-feeding unit of the type indicated which is readily .adjustable for use with containers of varying heights.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 397,761, led June 12, 1941.

In its preferred form, my invention contemplates the provision of a simple apparatus for feeding caps from a source of supply and applying them to containers such as jars, bottles, cans, et cetera. The apparatus is preferably employed with a continuously moving conveyer upon which the lled containers are placed indiscriminately. Means is preferably provided in association with the conveyer for centering and maintaining containers centered on said conveyer. The containers are rst moved by the conveyer to my capfeeding and applying unit where caps or other closures are loosely positioned on the upper ends of the containers. The containers may then be moved to a sealing unit such as described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 418,401, filed November 8, 1941. However, it is to be understood that my cap-feeding apparatus may be used in conjunction with any suitable sealing unit.

My cap-feeding and applying unit consists of a magazine for receiving a stack of nested caps. This magazine is of such a nature that the stack of caps may be readily inserted therei'nto and they will be held in proper nested relationship. Suitable wedge bars are disposed at the bottom of the magazine for supporting the lowermost cap. When these wedge bars are reciprocated, they separate the lowermost cap from the remainder of the stack of caps and allow it to fall downwardly while still supporting the stack of caps. A support is provided below the magazine for receiving the separated caps and supporting them in position to be engaged and withdrawn by a container moved Ibeneath the cap-feeding and applying unit. For controlling the movement of the wedge bars, I provide a steam controlled cylinder and piston unit. This cylinder and piston unit is actuated by a control trigger .adapted to be engaged by a container moved beneath the cap-feeding and applying unit. This trigger has a steam jet associated therewith for keeping it clean of food products or other products which might spill thereon from the containers. The steam control and operating mechanism is very simple, positive and eilcient.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my cap-feeding and applying apparatus showing it associated with a sealing machine.

Figure 2 is a plan View of my cap-feeding and Figure 3a is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the valve structure shown in Figure 3.

formed in plate 9. Pins |35 t into sockets |351) in plate |33 so that plate |33 may be removed readily from plate 9. The plate |33 is provided with a centrally disposed opening |36 which is of the proper size to permit the caps, to be applied to the containers, to drop freely therethrough. The plate |33 carries four upstanding Figure 4 is a sectional View similar to Figure 3 but showing the actuating mechanism in an operative condition.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken sub stantially along line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of my cap-feeding unit.

Figure '7 is a perspective view of one of the wedge bars used in my cap-feeding unit.

With reference to the drawings, I have illustrated a sealing machine of the type disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 418,401. This machine comprises generally a table la supporting a horizontal conveyer unit on its upper end, as shown in Figure 1. Above this conveyer in properly spaced relationship, a cap-feeding and applying unit 2 and a sealing head unit 3 are supported. The conveyer unit may be of any suitable type and is driven continuously. As described in said application, the containers 4 are placed indiscriminately on the conveyer and are moved in the direction of the arrows (Figures 1 and 5) by the conveyer.

My invention is not limited to any particular type of container and cooperating cap but for illustrative purposes I have shown in Figure 5 a jar 4 having its upper end shaped to receive a cap of the type indicated by the numeral 5. This cap preferably embodies a substantially disk-like portion 5 which has a depending annular skirt 1 which carries an annular gasket 8 therewithin. When a cap is forced downwardly onto the upper end of the container, the frictional Contact of the gasket with the upper end of the container will aid in maintaining the cap in position and will seal the cap on the container.

In order to center the containers transversely of the conveyer and to maintain them centered, a pair of longitudinally extending guide rails Ib may be provided. These guide rails may be suitably mounted for adjustment towards and away from each other. containers on the conveyer so that they will be properly positioned as they pass beneath my capfeeding and applying unit 2. This unit will apply a cap loosely to the upper end of each container which moves therebeneath. After the container passes the unit 2. it is carried to the sealing unit 3 and is sealed in the manner described in my application, Serial No. 418,401.

My cap-feeding and applying unit 2 is preferably disposed directly adjacent the sealing unit 3. They are both supported by a horizontally disposed plate 9. The plate 9 is supported at a point spaced above the conveyer by means of a plurality of vertically disposed posts I0. As described in my application, Serial No. 418,401, the plate 9 may be adjusted vertically on the posts I0 to vary the height of the units 2 and 3 above the conveyer for different heights of containers.

My cap-feeding and applying unit comprises a plate |33 which is suitably mounted on the plate 9 over a large opening 25a (Figure 2) in the plate 9. This plate |33 has a portion |34 (Figure 5) which extends down into the opening a. The plate |33 is held in position on plate l9 by means of dowel pins |35 threaded into openings |35a,

These rails will center the i posts |31 which are spaced circumferentially around the opening |36. These posts |31 are adapted to receive a stack of the nested caps.

The lower ends of the posts |31 are provided with reduced portions |31a (Figure 6) which removably t into sockets formed inthe plate |33.

The upper ends of these posts |31 are also provided with reduced portions |31b which t into sockets formed in a partial ring |310. The ring The ring |31c has a segment |31d omitted therefrom. The ring |310 serves to keep the upper ends of the posts |31 in proper spaced relationship. This ring prevents springing of the upper ends of the posts away from each other. Thus, the posts |31 will serve to keep the nested caps in proper nested relationship and in accurate alignment with each other. The segment of the ring |31c is omitted from |31d in order to facilitate insertion of a stack of nested caps in the magazine formed by the post |31. Such a stack of caps can be gripped by the operator'with the fingers on one hand supporting the bottom of the stack and with the ngers of the other hand gripping the top of the stack and can be then inserted readily into the magazine, the segmental space at |31d permitting free movement of the fingers downwardly as the stack is being inserted into the magazine.

For controlling the feed of the caps downwardly through the opening |36, I provide the following structure. vThis structure embodies a pair `of cap-separating wedge members |38. These Wedge members |38 are disposed tangentially to the opening |36, as indicated best in Figure 2. They are mounted for longitudinal movement in recesses |38a formed in the lower surface of the plate |33. The recesses |38a (Figure 5) extend substantially tangential to opening |36 and are in communication therewith at their inner` edges. The lower wall of these recesses is formed by a plate |38b which is bolted by means of bolts |331) to the lower surface of plate |33 and which has a central opening |36a in alignment with opening |36. The members |38 are connected together at one end by a bar |39 (Figure 2). This bar has openings |39a for receiving the outer end of pins |3917 which are held in openings in the ends of wedge bars |38 by small pins |386.

The openings |39a are larger than the cooperating portions of pins |3917. To maintain the bar |39 on pins |38b collars |39c held in place by cotter pins |39d are provided. Thus, the wedge bars |38 are loosely connected to bar |39 in order to permit slight movement of the wedge bars relative to bar |39 so that they will properly align and position themselves in recesses |3811.. The other ends of wedge bars |38 are connected together in a similar manner by a. bar |40.

The bar |39 is engaged by the outer end of a pin |4| (Figures 2 and 6) which is mounted for axial movement in a. bearing member 9a disposed on plate 9 (Figure 3). The outer end of the pin |4| is provided with a head 42 disposed within housing |43. This cylindrical housing |43 is in alignment with bearing member 9a and has a closed cuter end |44. Within this housing a compression spring is provided. This spring has one end bearing against the closed end |44 of the housing and itsother end bearing against the head |42 on pin |4|. Thus, the spring |45 normally forces the pin |4| to the right (Figure 2). As shown best in Figures 3 and 4, the housing |43 is provided adjacent its closed outer end with an opening |43a which serves both as a drain for steam condensate within housing |43 and as a vent to prevent air pressure from being built up within housing |43. The spring |45 will normally keep the wedge bars |38 towards the right.

The spring |45 also serves to keep the bar 40 in contact with the outer end of a piston rod |46. This piston rod |46 (Figures 2, 3, 4 and 6) is carried by a piston |46a disposed in a cylinder |41 carried by the plate 9. The piston 46a is provided with a projection |46b on its outer Aenel which engages the closed end of cylinder |41 to keep the piston spaced therefrom. I'hepiston |4611 is held normally in the position indicated in Figure 3. It will be apparent that when the piston is reciprocated, the members |38 will be reciprocated also.

The wedge members |38 are of the shape shown best in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 7. Each of the members |38 is notched intermediate its ends to provide a recess flat vertical surface |51. This surface has a cap supporting shelf |55 formed adjacent one end thereof and a cap separating wedge portion |58 adjacent the opposite end thereof. The members |38 are normally in such a position that the lowermost cap will be supported by the projecting portions |55 of the members |38 which will project into openings |36. However, when the members |38 are moved to the left (Figure 2) by outward movement of the piston 46a, this causes the portions 55 thereof to be withdrawn from the opening |36, permitting the lowermost cap to drop through the opening. At the same time that the portions |55 are withdrawn from beneath the stack of caps, the portions |58 are projected between the lowermost cap and the cap next aboveso that the stack of caps will be supported. 'I-'he shape and operation of these wedge members |38 are described more in detail in my co-pending application, Serial No. 397,761.

It will be apparent that the entire cap feeding unit consisting of plate |33, posts |31, carried by such plate, and members 38, mounted forlongitudinal movement in guides in said plate, together with bars |39 and |40, can be removed readily and be replaced with a similar unit for different sized caps. The removal of thisunit is facilitated because pin |4| is not connected to bar |39 and piston rod |46 is not connected to bar |40. The wedge members easily for cleaning or replacement from the plate |33 by disconnecting the bars |39and |40 from the ends thereof. p l

The cap released from the stack will drop downwardly onto a tongue member |62. This member |62 extends beneath the Opening 36a in plate. |3311.. It is fastened on the lower end of a vertical pin |62a which is mounted for rotation in aligning openings formed in members |33 and |33a. The upper end of the pin `|62a has 'a handle member |6213 pinned thereon. A spring |620 surrounds the lower end of pin 62a and bears against the upper surface of member |62. The upper end of this spring is disposed in a socket 62d formed in members 33 and 33a. The spring member |62c normally causes the handle |62bto frictionally engage the upper surface of plate |33 and to prevent rotation of tongue |62 about the axis of pin |62a. However, movement ofthe handle |62b will produce swinging movement of |38may be removed quickly andspring 62o will serve to maintain the tongue |62 in any position into which it is moved. When the tongue |62 is in normal position, as shown in Figure -5J the rear edge of the dropped cap is supported thereby. The forward edge of the cap is supported at diametrically opposed points by lugs |65. As shown in Figure 5, the cap will be supported vin downwardly tilted position. The plate |33a is so formed that guide portions |65a are provided at each side thereof which will prevent lateral movement of the cap as it is WithdraWn from the supporting members |62 andl |65 by a container being moved along by the conveyer Although the members |65 are spaced a distance such that the cap will rest thereon, they are so spaced laterally that the upper end of the container will pass therebetween, it being understood that the cap is slightlyV greater in diameter than the upper end of the container. Furthermore, the members |65 are so placed longitudinally and vertically, thatl the resulting angle of the tilt of the dropped cap is such that the upper end of the container will pass under the rear edge of said cap, and it will engage with the inner side of its forward edge, and since said cap is merely guided but not restrained in any way, it is easily removed by the container without danger of upsetting said container.

As previously explained, the entire cap-feeding unit is carried by plate |33 and can be removed readily and be'replaced with a unit for feeding caps of a different size. Furthermore, at any time, the tongue |62 may be swung away from aligning openings |36 and |36a to facilitate re moval of dropped caps, particularly if a second cap drops on top of a cap already in place and both caps jam in the forward tilted position.

When the conveyer moves a container beneath the cap-feeding unit 2, the upper end of the container will engage the skirt of the inclined cap disposed in the position indicated in Figure 5. This will withdraw the cap from its supports and position it on theupper yend of the container. The cap and container will be moved along until they pass into association with the sealing unit 3 which will seal the cap on the container in a manner described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 418,401.

In order to supply steam to the cylinder |41 to actuate the cap-feeding unit, I provide means f which is actuated by movement of the container spring |93 disposed inthe bythe conveyer into a position below the capfeeding and applying unit. As illustrated best in Figures 2, 3, 3a, and 4, this means comprises a small roller |86 which is held in a fixed position on the lower edge of one of the guide portions |a lof plate |33a. This member |86 is located directly below the aligning openings |36 and |-36a slightly forwardly of pin I4| as shown bestin Figure 2. At a point almost laterally opposed but spaced forwardly slightly, the washer member |61 is disposed on the other guide portion |6511 of plate |33a. A pin structure |88 (Figures 3 and 3a) prevents the removal of washer |81 but it is free to'move laterally to a considerable extent;v A plunger |89 normally has its outer end spaced slightly from the washer |81 when the washer is in its innermost position.

The plunger |39, as shown best in Figures 3, 3a and 4, is disposed in `a bore |90 formed in a valve housing 19|` suitably mounted in cylinder Thel plunger |89 is normally held in its outermost position by meansof a compression bore |90, see Apar- "chamber |a is normally ticularly.` Figure 3a. The outer' end of the plunger 4|89 'is normally' prevented from contacting the 'A third passageway |9601 leads frombore |90 and is Vnormally in communication with a passageway |891t extending through the plunger |89. A' piston valve 200 is disposed for reciprocation in the' chamber |99. This piston valve is normally in' the position indicated in Figure 3 so that the endl of passageway |96 is covered while the end of passageway |95 is uncovered.v This piston 200 is provided with an annular' chamber 20| and an annular chamber 20|a. The annular chamber 20| is always in communicationwith the right-hand 'end of chamber |99 by means of a bore 202 'provided in vthe piston 200. The chamber 29| is also always in communication with a steam inlet 203 which is connected to a steam" conduit 204. The end of passage |9611. also communicates with inlet 203. The annular in communication with the right-hand end of cylinder |41 by means of a passage |4111. It is also normally in communication with an exhaust outlet 208. A second smaller exhaust outlet 208ais in communication with the right-hand end of chamber |99.

With the parts in the position illustrated in Figure 3, steam will flow from the line 204- through annular chamber 20|, through passage 202 and through exhaust outlet 20811. Steam will also flow from inlet 203 through passage |96a, through passage |8911 in plunger |89 and outwardly around the trigger washer |81. steam escaping from passage |8911 will keep the Washer |81 clean and spaced slightly from plunger |89 as shown in Figures 3 and 3a. The amount of steam flowing from passage |89a may be controlled by means of a needle valve |96b assoI ciated with passage |96a. Passages |8911 and 20811 are so small that a small amount of steam only will normally escape and this will serve to keep the steam alive. Under these conditions, the piston |4611 will be kept in the position indicated in Figure 3 by spring |45, it being understood that'l the steam previously in the righthand end of cylinder |41 has exhausted through outlet |4111, chamber 20|a and opening 208.

As soon as a container is brought by the con- Veyer beneath the cap-feeding and applying unit 2, the upper end of it will engage the roller |86 and the washer |81. This will happen substantially at the same instant that the forward edge of the container engages the inclined cap and tends to withdraw it from its inclined position on the tongue |62. Engagement of the upper end of the container with the Washer |81 will force it away from the center of the container, it being understood that the inner edge of the washer and the inner edge of the roller |86 are normally spaced apart a distance slightly less than the diameter of the upper end of the container.

Such movement of washer The chamber 20|a in valve V200 and Contact with the end of plunger |89 and will close` the outer end of'passage |8911. It will also move the plunger |89 to the right as shown in Figure 4. This will connect passage |9611 to passage |96 through the medium of the annular space |9211 in plunger |89. This will allow steam under pressure to iiow through passage |96 into the lefthand end of chamber |99 forcing piston valve 200 to the right. Movement of piston valve 200 to the 'right causes the annular chamber 20| formed therein to communicate with the opening |41@ leading into the right-hand end of 'cylinder |41. Thus,` steam under pressure will flow' into the right-hand'end of cylinder |41 and will force the piston 46a to the left. This will move the wedge bars |38 against the resistance of the spring |45 and'will actuate the cap feed. Movement of piston |4611 to the left will eventually expose openings |'94aA and |9511. Exposing the openingY |9411 will allow steam under pressure to flow through passage |94 and will aid the spring |93 in returning plunger |89 to the position indicated in' Figure 3. The amount of steam acting to return the plunger to its original position may be adjusted by means of a needle valve |94b associated with passage |94. At the same time, opening |94a is exposed, opening |9511 isalso exposed and steam under pressure will pass through passage |95 into the right-hand end of chamber |99. Since passage |95 is of much 'greater cross-sectional area than the passage 202 in piston valve 200, the piston valve will be returned to its original position. With plunger |89 and valve 200 in their originalpositions indicated in Figure 3, the spring |45 will return the wedge bars and the piston |4611 to thepositions indicated in Figure 3. As the piston |46a is returned to its original position, the steam will exhaust from the right-hand end of cylinder |41 through opening |4111, annular through outlet 20811. This cycle of operations will berepeated each time a container moves beneath the capfeed. Thus, each time a container moves beneath the cap-feeding unit and withdraws a c ap, it will actuate the cap feed to drop another cap into position to be engagedby the next succeeding container.l y

It will be Yapparent from the above description 'that I have provided a cap-feeding and applying unit having many advantages. The unit will serve to feed caps from a source of supply into position to be engagedby the upper end of containers to be sealed thereby and which are moved along bya conveyer. The cap-feeding operation is entirely automatic. The capsv can be withdrawn vfrom the unitby a container. on a moving conveyer without danger of upsetting the container. However, the cap must be positively withdrawn bythe container. The cap-feeding unit can be replaced readily with units for diierent sized caps and itmay be adjusted vertically for differ- Aent sizedcontainers. The cap-feeding parts of the unit are self-aligning and there is no danger of such parts binding. The cap-containing magazine is of such a nature that a stack of nested caps will be accurately held in proper relationship. The operating trigger for the cap-feeding-unit will always be kept clean by the steam jet associ- .ated therewith.

vThe steam-operated control mechanism of the cap-feeding unit-is very posi- -tive andeicient. Y

r Various other advantages will `be apparent from the preceding description, the drawings and the |81 will bring it in 75 following claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. In combination a conveyer, a cap-feeding unit associated with the conveyer, said cap-feeding unit comprising a source of supply of caps, movable means for feeding said caps from said source of supply, a fluid-actuated unit for controlling operation of said movable means, a trieger for actuating said unit located at one side of and projecting into the path of movement of containers carried by said conveyer and adapted to be engaged by a container being moved by the conveyer into association with said unit, and means located at the same side of said path and adjacent the trigger for directing a jet of fluid on said trigger to keep it clean of contents of the container which might spill thereon.

2. In combination a conveyer, a cap-feeding unit associated with the conveyer, said cap-feeding unit comprising a source of supply of caps, movable means for feeding said caps from said source of supply, a steam-actuated cylinder and piston unit for controlling operation of said movable means, a movably mounted trigger located at one side of and having a portion normally projecting into the path of movement of containers carried by said conveyer for actuating said unit and adapted to be engaged by a container being moved by the conveyer into association with said unit, and means positioned at the same side of said path for directing a jet of steam on said trigger to keep it clean of contents of the container which might spill thereon.

3. In combination a support for a container, a cap-feeding unit associated with the support, said cap-feeding unit comprising a source of supply of caps, movable means for feeding said caps from said source of supply, a fluid-actuated unit for controlling operation of said movable means, a'trigger for actuating said unit and adapted to be engaged by a container positioned on said support, and means associated with and located in substantially the same plane as the trigger for directing a jet of fluid on said trigger to keep it clean of contents of the container which might spill thereon.

4. In a cap-feeding apparatus, a source of supply of caps, movable means forfeeding said caps from said source of supply, a fluid-actuated unit for controlling operation of said movable means, means for controlling operation of said unit, said means comprising a main control Valve for controlling the supply of fluid to said unit, a pilot valve for controlling the supply of fluid to said control valve, and a trigger for operating said pilot valve, said pilot valve having a jet orifice associated therewith adapted to direct fluid on said trigger in order to keep it clean.

5. In combination a conveyer, a cap-feeding unit associated with the conveyer, said cap-feeding unit comprising a source of supply of caps, movable means for feeding said caps from said source of supply, a steam-actuated cylinder and piston unit for controlling operation of said movable means, means for controlling the operation of said unit, said means comprising a main control valve for controlling the supply of steam to said unit, a pilot valve for controlling the supply of steam to said control Valve, and a trigger for operating said pilot valve and disposed in position to be engaged by a container moved into association with the cap-feeding unit by the conveyer,

said pilot valve having a jet orifice associated therewith adapted to direct steam on said trigger in order to keep it clean.

6. A cap-feeding unit comprising a magazine for supporting a stack of caps, means for controlling the feed of caps from said magazine, said means comprising a reciprocable cap-feeding unit, means for operating said unit, said means comprising a spring-pressed plunger unit which engages said cap-feeding unit and normally forces it in one direction and a cylinder and piston unit opposing said plunger unit and adapted to be actuated to move said cap-feeding'unit in the opposite direction.

'7. A structure according to claim 6 wherein the plunger unit includes a pin engaging the capfeeding unit and the spring thereof is a compression spring acting on the pin for causing such engagement.

8. A cap-feeding unit according to claim 5 wherein the plunger unit and cylinder and piston 'unit loosely engage said cap-feeding unit.

9. A structure according to claim 6 wherein the plunger unit includes a housing, a pin extending from said housing and mounted for reciprocation relative to said housing and engaging the capfeeding unit, and wherein the spring is a compression spring disposed in said housing and which acts on the inner end of the pin to cause its outer end to engage said cap-feeding unit, said housing having an opening therein in the end where the spring is disposed.

10. A cap-feeding unit comprising a vertical magazine for supporting a stack of caps which are in flat superimposed relationship, said magazine having an opening at the bottom thereof through which the caps are adapted to drop, means for` controlling the feed of caps through said opening, a tongue member supported adjacent said opening and having a portion normally projecting horizontally beneath said opening, and means including a vertically disposed rotatable pin for mounting said tongue member whereby to permit it to be swung in substantially a horizontal plane away from saidopening.

11. A structure according to claim 10 wherein the tongue member is keyed to said rotatable pin and has a handle for rotating the pin, and wherein a spring is associated with said pin for causing the handle to frictionally engage a supporting surface associated therewith.

12. A structure according to claim 10 wherein said tongue member provides means for support- Ving a released cap temporarily in tilted position.

13. In a cap-feeding apparatus, a, source of supply of caps, movable means for feeding caps from said source of supply, a fluid-actuated unit for controlling operation of said movable means, means comprising a source of supply of fluid under pressure for controlling the operation of said unit, a main control valve for controlling the supply of fluid to said unit, a pilot valve for controlling the supply of fluid to said control valve, and a trigger disposed in position to be engaged by a container coming into cooperative relationship with the cap-feeding unit for operating said pilot valve.

14. Structure according to claim 4 wherein adjustable valve means is associated with the jet orice for regulating the amount of fluid flowing from said orifice.

HARRY E. STOVER.

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