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 electrically-controllable pneumatic actuator for moving for moving the clamps along the horizontal plane, and at least one motor for applying the twisting force to the top retainer and for adjusting the relative vertical position between the retainers.

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.