US3477199A

US3477199A - Cover feeding apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3477199A
Application number: US670074A
Authority: US
Inventors: Carl F Keas
Original assignee: Anderson Bros Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: SPX Flow Technology Systems Inc
Priority date: 1967-09-25
Filing date: 1967-09-25
Publication date: 1969-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 1986-11-11

Description

Nov. 11, 1969 c, F, KEA S 3,477,199

COVER FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 25, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 NOV. 11, 1969 c, KEAS 3,477,199

COVER FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 25, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I/III/IIIA E Nov. 11, 1969 c. F. KEAS 3,477,199

COVER FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 25, 196'? 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1969 c. F KEAS 3,477,199

v COVER FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Sept..25, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent 3,477,199 COVER FEEDING APPARATUS Carl F. Keas, Rockford, Ill., assignor to Anderson Bros. Mfg. Co., Rockford, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. 25, 1967, Ser. No. 670,074 Int. Cl. B65h 57/04, 7/28 US. CI. 53-67 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pocketed conveyor for advancing containers past an inclined guide. A cover magazine for holding a quantity of inverted covers. A pivotal arm having suction cups on a pivotally mounted head at the outer end of the arm. Vacuum lines leading to the suction cups and a valve for controlling vacuum thereto. The head arranged for withdrawing an inverted cover and rotating the same to a generally upright position as the arm swings to a point adjacent the guide. The valve then opening in response to reciprocation of the arm to dispense the cover on the guide.

Background The present invention relates generally to packaging and more particularly to an apparatus for feeding covers for application to containers.

Covers are frequently held in an inverted position in a cover magazine preparatory to removal, inversion, and application to a container or receptacle. Inversion by a head has been accomplished by a cam operation, as seen, for example, in Patent No. 3,293,823. A cam operation has several disadvantages, among which are wear on the cam, difficulty of adjustability, and noise in operation. Additionally, since the cam must operate to invert the head, it is located adjacent the head and encumbers the area of operation.

Summary The present invention relates to improvements in cover feeding apparatus. More particularly, the invention provides an improved apparatus in which covers are stored in a magazine in an inverted position, removed from the magazine one at a time, inverted, and placed on a container. Additionally, the cover transfer head may be vacuum operated and the apparatus provided with improved means for controlling the application of vacuum.

It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved cover feeding apparatus which will reliably and rapidly supply covers to containers.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cover feeding apparatus which has an improved arrangement for removal of covers from a magazine and inverting the covers for dispensing thereof.

Still another object is to provide a cover feeding apparatus in accordance with the foregoing object and which includes a head pivotally mounted on a swinging arm and arranged to prevent pivoting of the head at the end of the swing of the arm.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cover feeding apparatus which is readily adjustable to properly position the head for removal of covers from a magazine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cover feeding apparatus of the type wherein receptacles are advanced past a cover applying station and which has an improved means for preventing dispensing of a cover in the absence of the container on the conveyor.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a cover feeding apparatus which is simplified in construction, smooth and quiet in operation, and low in maintenance.

These, and still other objects and advantages of this 3,477,199 Patented Nov. 11, 1969 invention, will become better understood by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings FIGURE 1 is a partial side elevational view of a packaging machine having an embodiment of the present invention mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a larger scale cross-sectional view taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and having a portion broken away for better illustration of the parts;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, having portions broken away for better illustration of the relationship of the parts, and showing the arm and head in upper position;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken generally along line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating the arm and head in lower position; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating the arm and head in lower position and the relationship of of various parts of the pneumatic system when there is no succeeding receptacle.

Description Reference is now made more particularly to the drawings which illustrate the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention and wherein similar reference characters indicate the same parts throughout the several v1ews.

The apparatus of the present invention is adapted for use in applying skirt-type covers 12 to receptacles or containers 14 as they are advanced along a path and may, for example, be used in conjunction with a packaging machine as shown in FIG. 1 and generally designated by the numeral 16. The packaging machine illustrated includes a pocketed conveyor 21 of the endles type which may be driven in continuous fashion as by a motor 22 through a transmission shaft 23, a gear box and clutch 24, and a drive sprocket 25. The packaging machine 16 may include a container dispenser (not shown), a filler (not shown), and a cover applying station 18 disposed at spaced stations along the conveyor to sequentially dispense containers or receptacles into the pockets and fill and cover the receptacles. The container dispenser and filler may be of any conventional construction; however, both are preferably driven in timed relation with the movement of the conveyor. They may, for example, be operatively connected .to a longitudinally extending drive shaft 28 which is driven in timed relation with the conveyor through a power take-off to the gear box 24.

While the apparatus of the present invention is generally adapted for feeding covers 12 to containers 14, the embodimentillustrated is particularly designed for use in feeding covers to relatively lightweight containers formed of plastic or the like. A typical container 14 is in the form of a cup-like body having outwardly and downwardly extending rim portion 31 which terminates in an outwardly extending flange 32. The covers 12 are shaped to overlie the container and flange and have a downwardly extending rim 33 which has an intermediately located peripheral bead 34, and an outwardly extending flange 35 at the lower end thereof, as best seen in FIG. 6.

The container receiving pockets on the conveyor 21 are arranged to firmly support the containers 14 adjacent the top thereof as the containers are advanced past the various stations. As best shown in FIG. 2, the container receiving pockets on the conveyor 21 are in the form of trays 38 connected as by brackets 39 to endless conveyor chain 41. The trays 38 have container receiving openings therein with upturned flanges 42 along the sides and ends of the openings. The flanges are arranged to closely surround the side walls of the container 14 and extend into the space between the side walls and the downturned rim 31, as best seen in FIG. 2, to firmly support the containers adjacent their upper ends.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the cover applying station generally designated 18 includes a guide 45 for positioning covers for application to the containers, a cover magazine 46 for holding a plurality of covers in inverted position, a head 47 for removing the covers from the magazine and dispensing the same on the guide, and a pressing apparatus 48 for firmly pressing the covers on the containers as they are advanced away from the guide. The conveyor pockets 38 advance the containers 14 along a path with the tops of the containers at a preselected level, and the guide 45 is arranged to support a cover 12 in downwardly converging relation to the path of travel of the containers and with the lower edge of the cover extending below the level of the top of the containers to be engaged thereby and stripped off the guide as the containers move therepast. For this purpose, the guide 45 has an upper surface 45a disposed at an angle advantageously about 15 from the horizontal and is arranged to receive the covers 12 so that the lower edge of the cover extends beyond the end of the guide and thus is properly positioned (see FIG.

A nested stack of covers 12 is supported in the magazine 46 in a generally inverted position as best shown in FIG. 4. The magazine includes a frame 51 having an opening 52 dimensioned to allow passage of the covers therethrough. A plurality of rods 53 are arranged for guidably supporting the nested stack of covers 12. As stated above, the covers in the stack are in a substantially inverted position as shown, and the lowermost cover in the stack is releasably supported around the periphery of the opening 52 by a plurality of fingers 56. The fingers are advantageously pivotally mounted on pins 57 supported by brackets 58 on the frame 51. The fingers have inwardly directed tips arranged to engage the flange on the lowermost cover to support the same. The fingers 56 are yieldably urged inwardly into en gagement with the cover by a circumferential spring 59. As shown, the cover magazine 46 advantageously is disposed at an angle of about 45 to the horizontal, and the surface of the caps 12 is similarly disposed at an angle of about 45 to the horizontal.

As stated above, the head 47 operates to remove the lowermost cap 12 in the stack and dispense the same onto the guide 45. As seen in FIGS. 3-6, this is accomplished by swinging the head through an arc and simultaneously rotating the head so that the cover is dispensed in a substantially upright position after being withdrawn from its inverted position. To accomplish swinging movement of the head 47, an arm 62 is secured to a first generally horizontal shaft 63 which extends crosswise of the conveyor. The shaft 63 is rotatably mounted on the machine as by bearing blocks 64 secured to upright 65 which constitutes a portion of the frame of the machine. The arm 62 extends outwardly from shaft 63, and head 47 is rotatably mounted thereon as by a second horizontally extending shaft 66 adjacent the outer end of arm 62. As best shown in FIG. 2, a second arm 62 may be provided generally parallel to arm 62, if desired. In this manner, when shaft 63 is rotated, arm 62 is swung, carrying with it head 47 adjacent the outer end of the arm. As previously indicated, the surface of the cover is 45 from the horizontal while the surface of the guide 45 is from the horizontal. Thus, in the present embodiment, arms 62 and 62' are arranged for swinging through an arc approximating 60.

Means is provided for rotating the head 47 as the arm 62 is swung. For this purpose, a first sprocket 67 is secured to shaft 66 for rotation therewith, and a second sprocket 68 is advantageously rotatably mounted on shaft 63. A chain 69 is entrained over the sprockets to operatively connect the two together. In the embodiment illustrated, sprocket 68 is in the form of a segment of a circle or sprocket to provide a recess 68a to accommodate a connector 69a of chain 69 (see FIG. 5). Means is provided to hold sprocket 68 against rotation at least through a portion of the swinging of arm 62, as hereafter explained, thus causing sprocket 67 to rotate as the arm is swung and thereby causing head 47 to rotate. To hold the sprocket 68 against rotation, a holding mechanism 70 is mounted on leg 65 for engaging a laterally extending pin 68b secured to the sprocket 68 in any convenient manner. In the embodiment illustrated, the holding mechanism 70 includes a mounting plate 71 secured to leg 65, an upper plate 72 overlying pin 68a and a lower plate 73 underlying the pin. A rod 74 passes through aligned openings (not shown in the plates 71-73). The upper and lower plates are resiliently urged to a position in full contact with plate 71 by

springs

76 and 77, respectively, surrounding the rod 74. In this manner, sprocket 68 is ordinarily held in a stationary position, but can rotate slightly against the force of

springs

76 and 77 for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.

In the present embodiment, the apparatus is arranged so that the head 47 rotates through 180 relative to the arm 62 during an intermediate portion of the swing of the arm. This intermediate portion is designated by the angle indicated at A in FIGS. 3-5. In the present embodiment, angle A is advantageously 45. As shown in phantom in FIG. 4, when the arm is at the upper limit of angle A, the head 47 is generally aligned with the axis of arm 62. The arm 62 then continues its movement through the angle designated B to engage the head 47 with the lowermost cap 12 in the magazine 46. In the present embodiment, angle B is advantageously 10 In this manner, then, the head 47 is rotated to proper engaging position prior to the end of the swing of arm 62 so that rotation of the head 47 does not interfere with the engaging process. In a similar manner, complete rotation of head 47 is accomplished prior to the lower extreme of the swing of arm 62, as shown in phantom in FIG. 5. Rotation of the arm continues through an additional angle designated C to place the cover 12 on the guide 35. In the present embodiment, angle C is advantageously 5. Thus, rotation of the head 47 is completed prior to the dispensing process so that there is no movement to interfere with the dispensing.

To accomplish the above, means is provided for preventing rotation of first sprocket 67 relative to arm 62 adjacent the ends of the swing of the arm. To put it another way, means is provided for assuring that second sprocket 68 rotates with the arm 62, thereby stopping rotation of first sprocket 67. For this purpose, a pair of threaded

bolts

82 and 84 are mounted on sprocket 68 for engaging the arm 62 at the upper and lower ends of angle A, respectively. The upper surface of the channel-shaped arm 62 defines one bearing surface for engagement by bolt 82, and a plate 85 is conveniently provided at the bottom of arm 62 to provide a bearing surface for bolt 84. Preferably,

bolts

82 and 84 are adjustable so that the positioning of the head 47 may be adjusted to be substantially coplanar with the surface of caps 12 and the surface of guide 45, respectively. It should be understood that adjustment of bolt 82 will change angles A and B, and that adjustment of bolt 84 will change angles A and C. In this manner, slight variations in materials or fabrications are quickly and easily alleviated by the present structure. When bolt 82 engages arm 62, sprocket 68 must rotate with the arm during the swing designated by angle B. Pin 68b then moves against plate 73 and compresses spring 77. In this manner, during the downward portion of the swing, the spring assures that the pin is held against the arm, thereby assuring that no accidental rotation of the head 47 will occur. As shown in FIG. 5,

during the bottom portion of the swing designated by angle C bolt 84 is engaged by bearing surface 85 and causes sprocket 68 to rotate with the arm. This forces pin 6812 against plate 72 and compresses spring 76. Thus, the holding mechanism 70 cooperates to assure rotation of head 47 during the intermediate portion of the swing and also to assure no rotation of the head relative to the arm 62 adjacent the ends of the swing.

As can be seen, the pivoting of head 47 is extremely smooth and responsive to pivoting of shaft 63. As a result of this unusually smooth movement of the head, it is possible to sequentially Withdraw a cover 12 from the magazine 46 and dispense it on the guide 45 for the passage of each container 14 on the conveyor. To accomplish this, the shaft 63 is oscillated in timed relation to the movement of the conveyor. For this purpose, shaft 63 is oscillated through about 60 by a pitman arm 83 (See FIGS. 1 and 2) which is connected to a rotating shaft 89 by a link 91. Shaft 89 is driven by drive shaft 28 through a mechanism 92 and thus is driven in timed relation to the conveyor. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the ends of the pitman arm are threaded for easy adjustment in changing the angle of oscillation, if necessary, as may be caused by slight variations in materials, assembly, etc.

When the shaft 63 is oscillated by the pitman arm 88, arm 62 swings head 47 between an upper position adjacent the magazine 46 to withdraw a cap 12 therefrom, and a lower position adjacent guide 45 to dispense the cap on the guide. For this purpose, head 47 advantageously includes suction cup means herein shown as

suction cups

94 and 96. Suction cups 94 and 96 are connected by

conduits

97 and 98, respectively, to a source of vacuum (not shown) through a valving mechanism generally designated 100. The valve mechanism 100 operates to apply vacuum to the suction cups to remove a cover 12 from the magazine and to open to break the vacuum and dispense the cover 12 on the guide 45. As shown, the valve mechanism includes a stationary portion 101 and a movable portion 102 for seating with portion 101, as shown in FIG. 3. Portion 102 is communicated with line 103 leading to the source of vacuum (not shown), and portion 101 is operatively connected to

conduits

97 and 98 through a single conduit 104 and manifold 105. Thus, when the valve mechanism is closed as shown in FIG. 3, vacuum is applied to the

suction cups

94 and 96. Portion 102 is pivotally mounted as by a pin 102a and resiliently urged to closed position by a spring 1021). The valve mechanism includes a particularly advantageous apparatus for breaking the vacuum to the suction cups. For this purpose, movable portion 102 includes a laterally extending finger 102a. A pin 106 is positioned for engaging the finger 1020 but is resiliently urged away from the finger by a spring 107. At the upper end of pin 106 is carried a nylon bearing block 108. An arm 110, conveniently Z- shaped, is secured to shaft 63 for movement therewith. Z-arm 110 carries a knob 111 at its outer end for engaging bearing 108 to depress pin 106 at the lower extremity of the swing of arm 62. This moves the various parts to the position shown in FIG. 6, unseating portion 102 from portion 101 and breaking the vacuum to

suction cups

94 and 96.

In order to prevent dispensing of a cover 12 in the absence of a container 14, valve mechanism 100 includes a provision for preventing the application of vacuum to

suetion cups

94 and 96. For this purpose, a member 112 is resiliently urged by a spring 113 toward a position overlythereby normally urged into engagement with the bottom of containers as they approach the cover applying station. In the presence of a succeeding container, as shown in FIG. 3, finger 114 is depressed, member 112 is retracted, and second portion 102 seats against stationary portion 101 to apply vacuum to the

suction cups

94 and 96. When no succeeding container is present as shown in FIG. 6, finger 114 can move to a raised position, thereby extending member 112 and allowing the same to overlie finger 102a when it has been depressed by pin 106. In this manner, the valve mechanism is kept open until such a time as a container again depresses finger 114.

In the manner described, a particularly advantageous mechanism is provided for controlling application of vacuum to the suction cup means, for breaking the vacuum to dispense the cover on the guide, and for preventing reapplication of vacuum when no succeeding container is present. Thus, no cover is withdrawn unless a container is present to receive the same.

When the container 14 withdraws a cover 12 from the guide 45, the aforementioned presser 48 operates to firmly press the covers on the containers as the containers are advanced. In the embodiment illustrated, the presser includes a plurality of rollers 118 mounted on a carriage 119 to extend crosswise of the conveyor at a level to engage and firmly press the covers on the containers.

It is now deemed apparent that the present invention provides an apparatus for feeding and applying covers to containers in a manner that is smooth and quiet, and yet simplified in construction and certain in operation. Additionally, the apparatus is arranged for preventing dispensing of the cover in the absence of a receptacle on the conveyor.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has herein been illustrated and described, this has been done 'by way of illustration and not limitation, and the invention should not be limited except as required by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

, 1. In an apparatus for feeding and applying covers to containers including conveyor means for advancing the containers along a path past a cover applying station, and a cover magazine at said station disposed above the conveyor means for holding a plurality of covers in a generally inverted position, the improvement comprising: an arm mounted at said station for pivotal movement about a first axis and having an outer end swingable between an upper position adjacent the cover magazine and a lower position adjacent the conveyor means; a head pivotally mounted about an axis at the outer end ofthe arm; said head being pivotally movable between a cover engaging position for removing the lowermost cover from the magazine when the arm is in its upper position and a second position for dispensing the cover in a generally upright position when the arm is in its lower position; means for actuating the head to seize a cover from the magazine and for releasing the cover at the second position; means for swinging the arm between said upper and lower positions; and means for pivoting the head between the cover engaging position and second position as the arm swings and including wheel means concentric with said head axis and operatively connected to the head for pivotal movement therewith, means mounted at the first axis and operatively connected to the wheel means for rotating the wheel means as the arm is swung to rotate the head, and means for preventing rotation of the wheel means adjacent the ends of the swinging movement of the arm.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the last-mentioned means is adjustable to prevent rotation of the wheel means and head at a selected position in respect to the arm so that the head is properly positioned at the cover engaging position.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the means mounted at the first axis includes a plate pivotally mounted adjacent the arm; one of the items of a group consisting of said arm and said plate having means defining first and second bearing surfaces; and wherein the last-mentioned means comprises a first and a second engaging member mounted on the other of said items; the first engaging member arranged for engaging the first bearing surface as the arm approaches its upper position and the second engaging member arranged for engaging the second bearing surface as the arm approaches its lower position.

4. The combination of claim 3 including means for resiliently restraining the plate against pivotal movement adjacent the ends of the swinging movement of the arm to resiliently urge the engaging members against the respective bearing surfaces.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the engaging members are adjustable to prevent rotation of the wheel means and head at selected positions with respect to the arm to properly position the head at the ends of the swing of the arm.

6. The combination of claim 5 including guide means at said station disposed above the conveyor means for supporting a cover in downwardly converging relation to the path of movement of the containers; and wherein the lower position of the arm disposes the head adjacent the guide means for releasing the cover onto the same; the first axis is generally crosswise of the conveyor means and at a level between the cover magaine and the guide means; and the first engaging member is adjusted to dispose the head generally parallel to the lowermost cover in the cover magazine when the arm is in its upper position and the second engaging member is adjusted to dispose the head generally parallel to the guide means when the arm is in its lower position.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the wheel means comprises a first sprocket; the means mounted at the first axis includes a pivotally mounted second sprocket having a chain entrained around the first sprocket; the last-mentioned means comprises first and second pins mounted on the second sprocket for engaging the arm adjacent the ends of its swing to cause the second sprocket to rotate with the arm and prevent rotation of the first sprocket; said second sprocket having a laterally extending projection attached thereto; and including resilient means for engaging said projection when the second sprocket is rotated with the arm and for urging the second sprocket to a non-rotative position during the central portion of the swing of the arm so that the first sprocket and head are then rotated.

'8. In an apparatus for feeding and applying covers to containers including conveyor means for advancing the containers along a path past a cover applying station, and a cover magazine at said station disposed above the conveyor means for holding a plurality of covers in an inverted position, the improvement comprising: and arm having one end pivotally mounted about a first generally horizontal axis at said station and having an outer end swingable between an upper position adjacent the cover magazine and a lower position adjacent the conveyor means; means for swinging the arm between said upper and lower positions; a cover transfer head pivotally mounted about a second generally horizontal axis at the outer end of the arm; said cover transfer head being pivotally movable between a cover engaging position when the arm is in the upper position and a second position for dispensing the cover in a generally upright position when the arm is in its lower position; wheel means pivotally mounted about the second axis for movement with said head; and means comprising at least a segment of a circle having its center at the first axis and operatively connected to the wheel means to rotate the same as the arm is swung and thereby rotate the cover transfer head.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the last-mentioned means is pivotally mounted at the first axis; and including means for resiliently holding the last-mentioned means against rotation during at least the major portion of the swing of the arm so that rotation of the cover transfer head is correlative to the swing of the arm during said major portion thereof.

10. The combination of claim 9 including means for moving the last-mentioned means with the arm and preventing rotation of the cover transfer head for a preselected distance at the end of the swing of the arm at said upper position.

11. The combination of claim 9 wherein the first axis extends crosswise of the conveyor means; the arm extends radially therefrom for swinging movement in a generally upright plane; the second axis is generally parallel to said first axis; the wheel means includes a first sprocket; and the last-mentioned means lies generally in the same plane as the wheel means and comprises a second sprocket larger than the first sprocket and a chain entrained over the first and second sprockets to rotate the first sprocket when the arm is swung and the second sprocket is held against rotation.

12. The combination of claim 8 wherein the cover transfer head includes suction cup means for removing the lowermost cover from the cover magazine when the cover transfer head is at the cover engaging position; and including means including a valve for applying vacuum to the suction cup means; and means for opening the valve when the cover transfer head is at its second position to release the vacuum to the suction cup means and dispense the cover.

13. In an apparatus for feeding and applying covers to containers including a frame, conveyor means on the frame for advancing the containers along a path past a cover applying station, and a cover magazine at said station disposed above the conveyor means for holding a plurality of covers in an inverted position, the improvement comprising: guide means at said station disposed above the conveyor means for supporting a cover in downwardly converging relation to the path of movement of the containers; a generally horizontal shaft pivotally supported on the frame at said station and extending crosswise of the conveyor means at a level between the conveyor means and the cover magazine; an arm extending generally lengthwise of the conveyor means and having one end secured to the shaft and an outer end cantilevered therefrom; means for angularly oscillating the shaft to swing the outer end of the arm between an upper position adjacent the cover magazine and a lower position adjacent the guide means; a head pivotally mounted about a generally horizontal axis at the outer end of the arm and including suction cup means for removing the lowermost cover from the cover magazine; means responsive to swinging movement of the arm for pivoting the head about said axis between one position in which the suction cup means is positioned to engage the lowermost cover in the cover magazine and another position in which the suction cup means is positioned to deposit the cover on the guide means; means including a valve for applying vacuum to the suction cup means; and means operative in response to the angular oscillation of the shaft for openin the valve when the head is at said other position to release the vacuum to the suction cup means and deposit the cover on the guide means.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein the conveyor means advances the containers in a preselected spaced relationship with their tops at a preselected level, and the guide means supports a cover with its lower edge extending below said preselected level to apply the cover to the container as the same is advanced; and including sensing means for sensing the presence of a container immediately following the container at the guide means and for holding the valve open in the absence of a following container whereby no vacuum is applied to the suction cup means and no cover is withdrawn thereby.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein the conveyor means comprises a conveyor having container receiving pockets at spaced points therealong, and wherein the sensing means includes a finger positioned to be depressed by said following container in a succeeding pocket, a resiliently urged member for engaging the valve in its open position and for holding the valve open, and linkage means operatively connected to said finger and said member for retracting the member when the finger is depressed by a container to allow said valve to close.

16. The combination of claim 13 wherein the valve includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion movable between an open position and a closed position seated with the first portion to apply vacuum to the suction cup means, and means resiliently urging the second portion to said closed position; and wherein the last-mentioned means includes a second arm attached to the shaft for movement therewith for operatively engaging the second portion to move the same to said open position when the head is at said other position.

17. In an apparatus for feeding and applying covers to containers including pocketed conveyor means for advancing the containers along a path past a cover applying station, and a cover magazine above the conveyor means at said station for holding a plurality of covers, the improvement comprising: a head movable between a cover engaging position adjacent the cover magazine and a second position removed therefrom; said head including suction cup means for removing a cover from the cover magazine; a valve for applying vacuum to the suction cup means and including a first portion and a second portion;

the second portion being resiliently urged to a closed position seated with the first portion to apply vacuum to the suction cup means and movable to an open position to release the vacuum; means operative to move the second portion to open position when the head is at its second position to release the cover; a finger positioned to be depressed by a succeeding container advanced by the conveyor means; a resiliently urged member for engaging the second portion in its open position to hold the valve open; and linkage means operatively connected to said finger and said member for retracting the member when the finger is depressed by a container to allow said second member to move to its closed position; whereby the valve is held open in the absence of a succeeding container and no cover is removed by the suction cup means and the valve is closed in the presence of a succeeding container and a cover is removed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,361,176 10/ 1944 Carvey 5367 3,293,823 12/1966 Anderson 53-307 X TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 53-307