device for retaining crown caps , which can be particularly applied in machines for forming the sealing gaskets inside caps of the type having carousels which have disks which rotate about vertical axes and which further have in the peripheral region thereof semicircular and angularly equidistant seats for the support and transfer of the caps , has a rocker - like lever mounted on the disks , at each semicircular seat , which oscillates within a radial median plane of the seat . the lever has one arm controlled by an actuation cam and can , with the beak - shaped end of the other arm , internally engage the dentellated edge of the cap , so as to retain it in its seat during a preset angle of rotation of the disks .