Abstract: A convenient cover opening and closing method, system, and apparatus are described. A cover grasper, adjustable tension, an anchor, and a stabilizer provide the necessary torques so that a cover opens and closes in a controlled smooth manner. Moreover, the apparatus and system may be conveniently removed from and secured to the cover's container, may be secured in a more permanent fashion to the container, or components of it may be secured on the container while others are not.

Abstract: A centrifuge opening tool has a frame that securely holds a centrifuge drum therein. An upright tube is mounted to the frame and a brake band is rotatably secured to the upright tube. When the brake band is tightened, the centrifuge drum is securely held in place. A ring gear is secured to a lock ring. The lock ring is part of the centrifuge drum and is removable to allow access to the interior therein. A drive gear meshes with the ring gear and increases the mechanical advantage allowing a user to apply the force needed to open the lock ring even when it has been extremely compressed. A spanner wrench is placed on a drive shaft that is connected to the drive gear. Engagement pins are used to mechanically couple the gear ring and lock ring together.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a container having a slidable shutter closure moving past the apparatus includes: a rotatable shaft having an axis perpendicular to the direction of travel of the slidable shutter, the shaft being biased against rotation in either direction; a driver for bidirectionally moving the shaft from a position away from the container to a position in the vicinity of the container for opening and closing; and an extension extending outwardly from the rotatable shaft along at least a portion of the shaft into a line of travel, whereby the extension is adapted to engage the shutter closure of the container and move the shutter closure from an open position to a closed position or from a closed position to an open position. A reagent source for an automated analyzer includes: a reagent source which includes a container having a shutter closure which slides between an open and closed position; an apparatus for opening and closing the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing earrings from a display card includes a pronged mechanism for slipping between the ornamental portion of the earring and the card. A user applies leverage to the pronged mechanism to separate the earring from the card. The pronged mechanism can be enhanced with a cover for preventing the earring from flipping away as it is removed from the card. The cover can be attached to the pronged portion by any suitable means, such as a band, adhesive, hinge, or other means. When the pronged mechanism removes the earring from the card, the earring retainer on the back of the earring necessarily also separates from the card, so the device can be further enhanced with a cup means for catching and containing the earring retainer. The apparatus can be a single, integrated device.

Abstract: A device for removing a closure from a container includes a hollow needle, a piston for driving the needle into the closure and a compressed gas cartridge for driving the piston. Once the needle has been driven into the closure so that an end of the needle is inside the container, the piston can reciprocate to force air through the needle and pressurize the container in order to eject the closure. The piston can also reciprocate to evacuate air from the container through a stopper with a check valve when leftover contents of the container are to be preserved.

Abstract: A jar opening apparatus for opening a jar having a screw-on lid which comprises a base having a jar supporting surface, a generally vertically extending guide column connected to the base and a carriage assembly connected to the guide for movement relative to the guide between a first raised position and a second lowered position. The carriage assembly comprises a carriage; a lid engaging member connected to the carriage for engaging the screw-on lid when the carriage is in the second position, and rotating means for imparting rotation to the lid engaging member. The rotating means uniquely comprises a drive screw connected to the carriage and a cooperating driven tube connected to the lid engaging member. A novel operating mechanism is operably associated with the carriage for moving the carriage between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A method and system for picking and placing vessels are provided. The system includes a gripper assembly mounted on a positioning mechanism. The gripper assembly includes a cylinder, a plurality of flexible gripping members extending from the cylinder in a spaced-apart relationship for receiving therebetween a vessel and holding it by friction, a piston slideably inserted inside the cylinder, and a plunger connected to and movable with the piston and extending between the gripping members for engaging the vessel. The method includes the steps of positioning the gripper assembly, picking up and transferring a vessel, and placing, seating and releasing the vessel. The contents of the vessel may also be mixed simultaneously during the transferring of the vessel.

Abstract: An ink container opener has first and second portions approximately perpendicular to each other to form an L-shaped opener. The first portion has an opening having a plurality of ridges extending along opposite sides of the opening. An ink container is received within the opening and force is applied to the ink container to remove a cap from a body of the ink container.

Abstract: An automated pill bottle opener that is initiated by the user placing the bottle to be opened on a lower gripping surface that is affixed to a casing of the device. The user then moves a selector to choose the opening operation. A plunger assembly drives a plunger downward until a top gripping surface of a rotator assembly presses on the top of the bottle cap. After the pill bottle cap is opened, a pressure sensitive triggering device reverses the direction of travel of the plunger so that the plunger is again raised to its original position. To reseal a bottle, the user simply places the bottle on the lower gripping surface with the cap positioned on the top of the bottle. The user then moves the selector to choose the closing process. The plunger action of the device is identical, but the direction of rotation of the rotator is reversed so that the cap is screwed back onto the bottle.

Abstract: An automated pill bottle opener that is initiated by the user placing the bottle to be opened on a lower gripping surface that is affixed to a casing of the device. The user then moves a selector to choose the opening operation. A plunger assembly drives a plunger downward until a top gripping surface of a rotator assembly presses on the top of the bottle cap. After the pill bottle cap is opened, a pressure sensitive triggering device reverses the direction of travel of the plunger so that the plunger is again raised to its original position. To reseal a bottle, the user simply places the bottle on the lower gripping surface with the cap positioned on the top of the bottle. The user then moves the selector to choose the closing process. The plunger action of the device is identical, but the direction of rotation of the rotator is reversed so that the cap is screwed back onto the bottle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated safety cap removal mechanism for an automated medication preparation system. The mechanism includes an automated gripping device for securely holding and transporting a vial containing the medication to and from a first station and a cap removal device for removing a safety cap of the vial in a just-in-time for use manner. The cap removal device being located at the first station. By providing a just-in-time for use safety cap removal mechanism, the labor intensive task of removing safety caps can be incorporated into an automated medication preparation system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for opening a vial lid with respect to its respective container includes the lid having a tamper evident tape applied over a top surface of the lid with the ends of the tape being adhered against the outer side walls of the vial container below a juncture of the lid and the container outer wall. The tape has a score on each side in the area adjacent to the juncture. The apparatus includes a device for opening the lid by lifting the lid with respect to the container by a sufficient elevation to ensure that the tape score is substantially completely separated. A second device places a downwardly depending flange of the lid in an overlapped position with respect to an upper end wall of the container after the lid has been opened.

Abstract: The instant invention includes a pair of strap devices which are utilized in combination to enable a person (especially the elderly and/or physically challenged) to open jars or similar containers with ease and simplicity. One of the strap devices is employed as a jar or container holder. The other device is used as a strap-type wrench. The holder is designed to be permanently mounted on a vertical surface. The wrench device can be utilized to remove vacuumed sealed, screw-on, crimped or pull-tab lids with relative ease.

Abstract: Closed containers with safety caps having a push and twist opening system are loosened by compressing the container between the cap gripping means and the base of the apparatus described more fully herein, and rotating the base in a clockwise direction.