Abstract: A disposable bidirectional ratchet, which has a tubular hollow handle with an interior surface having teeth thereon; a toggle mounted movably within the handle; a knob connected to an end of the toggle moves the toggle inside the handle; a plurality of pins on another end of the toggle; a plurality of actuators each comprising: fingers, levers, toes and a head, and having a post guide formed therein; a plurality of posts affixed to a clutch; and, wherein the actuators are movable affixed to the clutch via the posts, and the pin position selects the direction of engagement via adjustment of the actuator position via applying force to the levers, which moves the lateral edges of the actuator towards or away from the teeth.

Abstract: Screw inserter instruments and methods for implanting a bone screw are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a screw inserter instrument can include a screw drive assembly having a first handle and a driver shaft coupled to the first handle, and a stylet assembly having a second handle and a stylet extending through the driver shaft. The first handle can have a locked configuration, in which the first handle and the driver shaft are coupled such that the first handle can maintain the driver shaft in a fixed position while the second handle is rotated relative to the first handle, and an unlocked configuration, in which the first handle and the driver shaft can rotate simultaneously in a first direction and the first handle can rotate independent of the driver shaft in a second opposite direction.

Abstract: A reversible hand operated work tool comprising; a shaft including first and second working ends at opposite ends of the shaft; a co operating handle mounted on the shaft and capable of sliding therealong. The hand tool can be adjusted to move from a first working orientation to a second orientation by sliding the handle along the shaft mtennediate said working ends and without jtatnoving the handle form the shaft.

Abstract: A hand held, one touch jar opener can be placed on a jar and activated with a momentary touch of a button. An epicyclic gear train is set to sequentially provide a grip on a jar, and on a lid, followed by development of torque needed to move the lid in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the jar. The principles embodied in the opener shown can be realized in an opener which can be manually powered, or preferably motorised and possibly highly automated. A differential geartrain provides reduction of speed and increase in torque and then provides two balanced and opposing forces through the epicyclic gear assembly having sun and planet gears. This configuration enables a wide variety of screw-on lids and jars to be automatically closed to match the correct diameters, apply a gripping force and then apply torque in an opposing direction.

Abstract: The jar lid loosening device includes a pair of jaws which are arranged to compress upon a lidded jar inserted therebetween. Of the pair of jaws, one jaw is a passive jaw and the other is the active jaw. The passive jaw is fixed substantially stationary and hence it neither twists nor travels in compression or retraction. The active jaw, in contradistinction. is given compound motion. More particularly, the active jaw is mounted in a traveling head. The traveling head is arranged to cycle through compression and retraction strokes. The active jaw is carried in the traveling head such that, generally, the active jaw rides passively along with the traveling head through the compression and retraction strokes. If however, a lidded jar is inserted between the jaws, then during a compression stroke the active jaw eventually limits out against the lidded jar. From then on, the lidded jar is subjected to increasing compression between the jaws by virtue of the traveling head.

Abstract: A bottle cap remover having a gripping head and an actuator. The gripping head has at least two pivotally mounted arms biased in a closed position, each arm having a respective gripping surface. Preferably the bottle cap remover has a neutral state, an insertion state, a bottle-gripping state, and a cap-removal state. The method for removing a bottle cap from a bottle using the bottle cap remover includes the first step of inserting a bottle and bottle cap between the gripping surfaces of the pivotally mounted arms by forcing the pivotally mounted arms into an at least partially open position. The next step is gripping the bottle cap between the gripping surfaces. The next step is to activate the actuator so that the actuator moves between a neutral position and an extreme position thereby pulling and removing the bottle cap from the bottle.

Abstract: An automatic, power-driven appliance loosens screw type lids from jars of varying sizes and shapes. A vertically upright housing is placed upon a flat, supporting surface like a counter-top or the like. The lower housing base as a frictional pad for engaging the jar. A spaced apart, movable head is constrained for vertical movements within the container chamber defined by the housing. The head is lowered or raised by a motor driving a lead-screw system. A rotatable friction chuck mounted in the head contacts and rotates the lid to be loosened. The friction chuck comprises a hollow drive shaft and means for shining Laser light through it to center a container to be opened. The start button should be pushed after centering a jar within the housing chamber, whereupon an automatic opening sequence commences.

Abstract: An electrically powered corkscrew has an inclined handle of high ergonomic character to enable convenient and effective use when standing or seated, while ensuring a corkscrew of compact arrangement. The corkscrew has a de-briding cutter concealed in the butt of the handle for removing the usual foil seal from the cork. The cork extracting mechanism includes a dual purpose cork-stabilizing arrangement, including a pair of compression springs and guide posts to assist in countering rotation of the cork, and in assisting reverse operation of the corkscrew auger when discarding the cork.

Abstract: An electric bottle or jar lid opener which loosens threaded lids from jars or similar containers having screw-type lids. A base member supports a vertical support which supports a travel arm, which in turn supports an electric motor. The motor 38 is positioned over the base such that a bottle may be manually positioned below the motor, which is provided with a direct drive mechanism which transfers torque through a shaft to a gripping member affixed thereon. The gripping member, made of a non-slip material, such as rubber, is placed onto the lid of a bottle. The travel arm has height adjustment knobs allowing the user to position the opener on various sized bottles. The motor is controlled by a variable power button which torques the gripping member in turn loosening the lid.

Abstract: A new adjustable electric bottle opener for quickly and easily opening vacuum packed jars and oversized bottles. The inventive device includes a base member having a C-shaped support bracket secured to an upper surface thereof. The C-shaped support bracket is dimensioned for receiving a base of a bottle therein. The base member includes a collar extending upwardly from the upper surface thereof. An upper housing is adjustably coupled with respect to the base member. The upper housing has a support arm extending downwardly therefrom. The support arm is slidably received within the collar of the base member. A motor is disposed interiorly of the upper housing. The motor has a rotating axle extending outwardly thereof. The axle has a beveled gear disposed on a free end thereof. The beveled gear couples with a beveled drive gear within the upper housing. The drive gear has a shaft extending outwardly of the lower surface of the housing.

Abstract: A new electrically powered corkscrew for aiding in the removal of corks from bottles, such as wine bottles. The inventive device includes a bottle holding unit which supports a bottle thereon and a corkscrew spiral mounted on the holding unit for both rotary motion and longitudinal movement. A first electric motor is coupled to the spiral for rotating the spiral, and a second electric motor is coupled to the spiral for longitudinally moving the spiral. Operation of the motors is controlled by a control unit for operating the spiral to at least partially removing the cork from the bottle.

Abstract: System for the automatic operation of reactions using several vessels which can be closed by individual closures using a device for automatically opening the closures.

Abstract: A bottle cap removing system which is easily adapted to a conveyor system of either 5-gallon or 3-gallon bottle movement within a bottling or recycling facility. Such system automatically determines which, if any, bottles have attached bottle caps and automatically removes such bottle caps in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Multiple lengths of steel comprise a main support structure which supports an overhead decapping assembly. As bottles from a conveyor line pass underneath this decapping assembly, a sensor determines whether or not the first bottle in the line has an attached bottle cap. If such bottle has an attached bottle cap, pneumatic actuators located at both the lower and upper front end of the support structure are energized to extend a set of bottle pads into the path of the bottle. This bottle's movement is thus stopped and its bottle cap situated immediately underneath the decapping assembly.

Abstract: A waste cylinder rupture vessel for release and recontainerization of toxic contents of compressed gas cylinders is defined by an enclosed chamber which accommodates a plurality of bearing surfaces for supporting and positioning a target cylinder thereon. A puncture spike disposed within the chamber is adapted to puncture the target cylinder at its mid-section, thereby releasing its contents. Connections are provided communicating with the enclosed chamber for evacuating and recontainerizing the contents released by a punctured cylinder without release of the contents into the environment. All of the cylinder processing operations may be provided remotely.

Abstract: A bottle cap remover is activated by inserting a bottle into an orifice. A detector adjacent the orifice detects the presence of the bottle and causes a linear actuator to drive a gripping device away from the top of the bottle where the cap is located. As the gripping device is moving away from the bottle cap, cam members direct hooked members of the gripping device around the bottle cap so that it is pulled off of and away from the bottle as the linear actuator drives the gripping device away from the bottle top. Once the bottle cap is removed, the linear actuator recycles to ready the bottle cap remover for the next bottle cap.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a cork from a bottle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a motor disposed within the housing, and a corkscrew mechanically associated with the motor. An outer sleeve is associated with the housing. A shuttle is displaceably positioned within a channel defined in the outer sleeve. A slide, having a slot therein, is associated with the shuttle. The slot is configured to intercooperate with a rail positioned on the sidewall of the channel. The slide interacts with the rail to render the shuttle nonrotatable about its axis as the shuttle is displaced over a first length of the channel. In a second length of the channel, the shuttle is free to rotate about its axis. The corkscrew extends through a recess defined in the shuttle. A portion of a bottle containing a cork is received within the outer sleeve to engage the shuttle whereby the corkscrew may be inserted into the cork. An operation of the motor causes the corkscrew to be imbedded into the cork.

Abstract: A fully automatic jar opener for loosening a threaded cap includes a bottom jar retainer including substantially horizontal clamps automatically movable along a horizontal plane between an open position and a jar clamping position. The clamps, while in the jar clamping position, hold a jar substantially without slippage and a top jar retainer holds the cap substantially without slippage when the cap is subjected to a twisting force. A vertical drive automatically adjusts the relative vertical positions between the bottom and top retainers to apply a holding force on the cap. The automatic jar opener includes at least one motor for applying the twisting force to the top retainer, for moving the clamps along the horizontal plane, and for adjusting the relative vertical position between the retainers. A controller automatically controls the motor and enables loosening of the cap with one single, discrete user command.

Abstract: A jar opener including a rigid housing having a horizontal top wall, a horizontal bottom wall, and a space therebetween and with the bottom wall further having a gripping surface for gripping a bottom of a jar that is placed thereupon; an elongated horizontal traveling plate disposed within the space at a location above the gripping surface of the bottom wall; a revolvable wheel coupled to the traveling plate at a location above the gripping surface of the bottom wall and with the wheel also having a gripping surface for gripping a lid on the jar; a first drive mechanism engaged with the traveling plate for allowing its lowering for placement of the gripping surface of the wheel in contact with a lid on the jar; and a second drive mechanism engaged with the wheel for allowing its revolution for loosening the lid on the jar.

Abstract: A waste cylinder rupture vessel for release and recontainerization of toxic contents of compressed gas cylinders is defined by an enclosed chamber which accommodates a plurality of bearing surfaces for supporting and positioning a target cylinder thereon. A puncture spike disposed within the chamber is adapted to puncture the target cylinder at its mid-section, thereby releasing its contents. Connections are provided communicating with the enclosed chamber for evacuating and recontainerizing the contents released by a punctured cylinder without release of the contents into the environment. All of the cylinder processing operations may be provided remotely.

Abstract: A tool for removing a metal plug from a tube with repeated pulling impulses includes a pneumatic cylinder defining an interior, cylindrical chamber. A distal end surface of the cylinder defines an anvil. A cylindrical slug, or hammer, is sealingly slidable within the chamber in response to a pressure difference above and below the hammer within the chamber. The cylinder is rigidly connected to the plug so as to hang therefrom, the weight of the cylinder providing a static pull force working in conjunction with the pulling impulses. A pulling impulse is provided by first raising the hammer above the anvil by pneumatically creating a first pressure difference wherein the pressure below the hammer is greater than the pressure above the hammer, then creating a second pressure difference wherein the pressure below the hammer is no greater than the pressure above the hammer in order to drive the hammer against the anvil at speed.

Abstract: A speed handle which includes a ratchet drive on the working end. A conventional socket can be attached to the mounting end of the ratchet drive. The speed handle is especially useful in areas where there is very little room for operating a conventional wrench or conventional ratchet wrench.

Abstract: A mechanized corkscrew powered by a cordless electric screwdriver, that mimics a winged manual corkscrew, wherein the mechanized corkscrew has a bell shaped flange on a sliding element that retracts up a twin threaded shaft as the corkscrew is twisted into the cork, and then, once the corkscrew is embedded in the cork, the sliding element traverses back down the twin threaded shaft, the resulting action causing the corkscrew to pull the cork out of the bottle.

Abstract: A waste cylinder rupture vessel for release and recontainerization of toxic contents of compressed gas cylinders is defined by an enclosed chamber which accommodates a plurality of bearing surfaces for supporting and positioning a target cylinder thereon. A puncture spike disposed within the chamber is adapted to puncture the target cylinder at its mid-section, thereby releasing its contents. Connections are provided communicating with the enclosed chamber for evacuating and recontainerizing the contents released by a punctured cylinder without release of the contents into the environment. All of the cylinder processing operations may be provided remotely.

Abstract: A plug-opening device for a sealed type container, an opening of which is sealed with a sealing plug having a plug-opening tab, comprising a gripping mechanism for gripping the tab of the sealed container at a plug-opening position; and a plug-opening mechanism for moving the gripping mechanism passing through a position above the sealed container obliquely and upwardly on the side opposite to the position for the tab. The plug can be detached automatically from the opening reliably.

Abstract: A tool for screwing medication vials (10) to IV-bags (28) comprises a socket (58) with a bowl-shaped hard shell (60) defining a mouth (86) with a resilient material insert (62) lining an interior surface thereof and being held therein by a removable retainer at a lip of the mouth. The lining material defines a cylindrically-shaped vial-receiving cavity (88) of a size for receiving a bottom-end portion (96) of a medication vial, with lining material engaging radially the received bottom-end portion for imparting movement thereto. The socket has an attachment device (66) positioned at an end of the socket opposite the mouth for attaching the socket to a rotary motor (54, 102) of a rotating tool.

Abstract: The automated container cap remover and method for cap removal includes a drive for causing relative rotation to occur between a container cap and a cap engaging unit. The drive brings the cap engaging unit into engagement with the cap and then slips to permit the cap to be unscrewed from the container. A control unit senses the torque created by the relative rotation between the cap and cap engaging unit, and when a drop in torque is sensed, the control unit causes the drive to move the cap and cap engaging unit out of engagement.

Abstract: A method for recovering propellant from used aerosol cans which includes the steps of piercing the can; removing the mixture of residual propellant and fluid product from the can; collecting the mixture and then separating the propellant from the residual fluid product.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening a wine bottle includes a cork seal remover assembly, comprising a housing having a cavity therein, the cavity including opposed side walls that taper downwardly to a bottom opening and converge rearwardly toward a rear wall. A blade assembly is received within the cavity, the blade assembly including a pair of spring arms disposed to impinge resiliently on the side walls of the cavity. The spring arms include arcuate blades in confronting relationship to define a gap therebetween. A bottle neck is inserted between the blades and urged rearwardly, causing the spring arms to converge and the blades to impinge on the seal, severing the end of the seal. The cork remover portion of the invention includes a corkscrew blade disposed coaxially within a tubular housing. The corkscrew blade is operated by a reversible motor, and a sensor within the inner end of the tubular housing is connected to reverse the rotation of the motor and blade.

Abstract: A powered jar lid remover includes a work table supporting a rotatable platen, an electric motor with associated drive and manual on-off switch, and a clamp disposed above the platen. The platen rides on plungers which, in turn, ride on a cammed track disposed beneath the platen. A jar placed on the platen is urged into progressively tighter engagement of the clamp when the platen rotates, and ascends a ramp formed in the cammed track. The clamp has a friction brake opposing upward movement, so that the jar cannot defeat clamping action by pushing the clamp upwardly. A manual lever releases the brake so that the clamp can be moved upwardly for adjustment, as for accommodating a jar of greater height. The brake opposes upward movement only, and downward movement of the clamp is unopposed by the brake.

Abstract: An automated container closure opener for screw-type bottle or container caps, lids, caps, covers and the like comprising a housing having a base portion and a relatively vertically movable top portion operatively connected thereto by at least one telescoping shaft. A first motorized drive is provided for actuating the telescoping shaft so as to vertically move the top portion of the housing relative to the base portion, and a second motorized drive is provided for rotatably actuating a bottle cap engagement member which depends from the top portion of the opener housing. A circuit serves to actuate the first motorized drive to lower the bottle cap engagement member from an inoperative position adjacent the top portion of the housing into engaging contact with the cap of a bottle and to then deactuate the first motorized drive and actuate the second motorized drive to at least partially remove the cap from the bottle.

Abstract: A rechargeable electric corkscrew for removing a cork from a bottle comprises a reversible drive having a switch for switching the drive between rotation in a first sense and an opposite sense. A body houses the drive and a rechargeable power source and has a rotatably mounted auger extending in a longitudinal direction. A sleeve has a first end adapted for slidably mounting onto the body. The sleeve has a second end surrounding the auger comprising cantilevered members each having an abutment surface adapted to abut a mouth of the bottle. The cantilevered members are adapted to flex for positioning the abutment surfaces relative to each other about the mouth. The cantilevered members has a base end having a radial extent for stably supporting the corkscrew in an upright condition. The corkscrew is also provided with a cutter for cutting a foil wrapper which covers the mouth of the bottle.

Abstract: For safely opening drums that may contain hazardous materials, a remotely controllable drum opener attachment is provided, which is powered by air or electricity from a distance by means of a long power cord. The attachment is clamped in position on the drum by an appropriate frame.

Abstract: A base housing, having a base housing top wall rotatably mounts a chuck assembly through the base housing top wall, with a support member mounted to the top wall having a track, with the track slidably positioning a mounting plate, with the mounting plate including a plurality of confronting first and second arcuate jaws to secure a jar lid, with the first and second arcuate jaws arranged in a position extending over the chuck, with the chuck including a plurality of arcuate chuck jaws in an annular array operative to engage a jar within the chuck jaws.

Abstract: A plug-opening device which includes a rod capable of moving forwards or backwards, and a plug-opening member having elastic leaf springs, for urging against a circumferential side of a plug of a specimen container, attached to the rod in the longitudinal direction. The plug-opening member preferably includes a plurality of leaf springs in a stack formation, wherein an end portion of a higher leaf spring relative to another end portion of a lower leaf spring, adjacent to the higher leaf spring, extends further away from the end portion of the rod. More preferably, the plurality of leaf springs are attached with a gap being formed between upper and lower leaf springs. The plug-opening device can reliably, effectively, and smoothly open a plug of a specimen container with one stroke of the cylinder rod.

Abstract: A waste cylinder rupture vessel for release and recontainerization of toxic contents of compressed gas cylinders is defined by an enclosed chamber which accommodates a plurality of bearing surfaces for supporting and positioning a target cylinder thereon. A puncture spike disposed within the chamber is adapted to puncture the target cylinder at its mid-section, thereby releasing its contents. Connections are provided communicating with the enclosed chamber for evacuating and recontainerizing the contents released by a punctured cylinder without release of the contents into the environment. All of the cylinder processing operations may be provided remotely.

Abstract: A new, novel device for holding a container while applying torque specifically to the closure in the direction of opening. This device is readily adaptable for use with an electric motor or ratchet to provide hands free operation. The device may be made small enough to serve as a counter-top appliance for home use. In addition, the device is self sizing to serve a wide array of container closures.

Abstract: The automated container cap remover and method for cap removal includes a drive for causing relative rotation to occur between a container cap and a cap engaging unit. The drive brings the cap engaging unit into engagement with the cap and then slips to permit the cap to be unscrewed from the container. A control unit senses the torque created by the relative rotation between the cap and cap engaging unit, and when a drop in torque is sensed, the control unit causes the drive to move the cap and cap engaging unit out of engagement.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for removing and otherwise managing the contents of compressed gas cylinders and other hazardous containers. The invention includes a selectively sealable chamber that receives a container to be serviced. A shearing device such as a saw or cutter is provided within the chamber. Once the chamber is sealed, the shearing device engages the cylinder and shears off a portion thereof. Such an operation permits the entire contents of the cylinder to be released into the chamber. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a device for manipulating the position of the chamber to facilitate gravitational drainage of the contents. The present invention further includes a decontamination system that delivers decontamination or cleansing fluids to both the interior of the opened cylinder and the chamber. The present invention further includes an evacuation system that removes all gases from the chamber and the cylinder in a environmentally safe manner.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for accessing hazardous materials stored in a container. The apparatus includes a base that is securely mountable to the container of hazardous materials. The base may include an assembly of clamps or an assembly of suction cups adaptable to containers of varying sizes and configurations. The frame is removably and adjustably mounted to the base. The frame includes plural gantries that are selectively movable toward or away from the base and the container to which the base is mounted. A tool is mounted to each gantry. A first tool is operative to perform work on the container, while the second tool is operative to position the first tool. The tools are powered and controlled from a remote location preferably by pneumatic power.

Abstract: An analyzer is disclosed having a device for removing and inserting a stopper from and into the opening of a container for liquids arranged in a tray, particularly test tubes filled with body fluids, a gripper which performs rotary movements frictionally interacting with stopper and a lifting means feeding the container to the gripper and fixing it.The gripper features three radially arranged clamping elements with rollers on an inner carrier member, said clamping elements being radially movable by control elements associated therewith and mounted on an outer hollow-cylindrical housing portion. The control elements are coaxially arranged in the form of a ring and each consists of a cam section having a small radius and a cam section having a larger radius, said sections being interconnected via a ramp and having a threshold.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a pneumatic slide hammer for removing a plug from a tube or other structure including a percussive piston, a housing for containing the percussive piston and for connecting to the plug to be removed from a structure, and a slidable cylindrical valve for controlling the flow of air under superatmospheric pressure to force the percussive piston against to impact against the housing and force the plug from the housing.

Abstract: A new, novel device for holding a container while applying torque specifically to the closure in the direction of opening. This device is readily adaptable for use with an electric motor or ratchet to provide hands free operation The device may be made small enough to serve as a counter-top appliance for home use. In addition, the device is self sizing to serve a wide array of container closures.

Abstract: A lid starter (20) is disclosed having a pair of belts (24, 26) to enclose respectively a lid (34) and a container (22) for starting an overtightened lid from the container. A first end of the lid belt is spring (66) biased to cooperate with a motor (76) coupled to pull the belt second end in applying torque to the lid. Rotatable arms (40, 124, 126) facilitate receiving the lid and container within the belts.

Abstract: An automated container closure opener for screw-type bottle or container caps, lids, caps, covers and the like comprising a housing having a base portion and a relatively vertically movable top portion operatively connected thereto by at least one telescoping shaft. First motorized drive means are provided for actuating the telescoping shaft so as to vertically move the top portion of the housing relative to the base portion, and second motorized drive means are provided for rotatably actuating a bottle cap engagement member which depends from the top portion of the opener housing. Circuit means serve to actuate the first motorized drive means to lower the bottle cap engagement member from an inoperative position adjacent the top portion of the housing into engaging contact with the cap of a bottle and to then deactuate the first motorized drive means and actuate the second motorized drive means to at least partially remove the cap from the bottle.

Abstract: An electric corkscrew device is provided and consists of a reversible electric motor having a stationary collar and a rotatable shaft. A first sleeve is coupled to the stationary collar of the reversible electric motor, a second sleeve is slideable within the first sleeve, in which the second sleeve is formed to cooperate with a bottle neck provided with a cork. A spring is within the first sleeve to urge the second sleeve towards the bottle neck. A corkscrew spiral is driven by the rotatable shaft of the reversible electric motor and extends through the first sleeve and the second sleeve so that when the corkscrew spiral turns in one direction it can engage the cork and pull it out of the bottle neck. A mechanism is for removing the cork from the corkscrew spiral when the rotatable shaft is reversed by the reversible electric motor and the corkscrew spiral turns in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A method for disposal of aerosol dispensers and the contents thereof, which comprises cooling of the aerosol dispenser and its residual contents to a temperature below which the propellant exhibits a substantial vapor pressure (i.e., below the boiling point(s) of the propellant(s)). It is then possible to puncture the container without danger of an uncontrolled release of the contents. The cold liquefied propellant and any additional liquid contents of the spray container may then be drained, without any danger of propellant release to the atmosphere, into a collection container capable of subsequently accommodating the vapor pressure of the propellant at ambient temperature. The container is sealed while its contents are still cold and the liquid is allowed to reach ambient temperature, whereby the propellant regains its vapor pressure and some of the propellant mixture returns to a gaseous form.

Abstract: An automatic corkscrew is capable of both extracting and reinserting a cork from and into a bottle. The corkscrew includes an extraction tube which engages the bottle and forms a cork receiving area. The auger extends through the extraction tube. When rotated in a clockwise direction, the corkscrew first penetrates and then extracts the cork from the bottle. When rotated in the opposite direction, the corkscrew reinserts the cork into the bottle. A gripping means if formed on the extraction tube for gripping the bottle during reinsertion of the cork into the bottle.

Abstract: A multi-stage, batch or continuous, manual or automated process and apparatus for safely depressurizing, de-capping (decrimping plus pulling caps), and recycling aerosol cans, propellants, solvents, chemicals, dip tubes, and can tops. The apparatus includes a synchronized sorting and loading unit for guiding the cans onto an advancing line. The cans are first depressurized by a vacuum head until comprising a vacuum seal and a reciprocable hollow needle which punctures the can recessed top cap and removes the propellants by suction for later reuse or disposal. The cans are advanced to a decapping until where the cap member is removed by decrimping to crack the seal followed by being vertically pulled off without damage to the can's rolled lip.

Abstract: A corked bottle opener comprising a stationary shaft and a rotatable stem extending longitudinally from the shaft and mounted for axial movement relative thereto. An adjustably mounted retainer extends from the shaft and engages the neck of the bottle. A jaw member extends from the stem, but is held against rotation, engages the stopper. An actuator rotates the stem to move it axially and thereby raise the jaw member so as to remove the cork.

Abstract: Stopper removal apparatus of the type in which gas under pressure is directed into a container thereby to eject a cork or like stopper. The apparatus directs gas from a gas cylinder into a gas reservoir sealed by a piston valve. Each gas cylinder has its own seal to prevent gas escaping during storage. As a new cylinder is installed and the cylinder seal is broken, the resulting gas from the cylinder forces the piston valve to its sealing position, so no gas escapes. The gas pressure provides the sealing force. When an actuator moves the piston valve to an open position, gas passes through passages and a hollow needle that penetrates the stopper to exit within the container to eject the stopper.A cover assembly completely encloses the needle. A disk at one end of the cover retracts as the needle is inserted into the stopper. After the stopper is ejected it remains on the needle within the cover.