Abstract: The present invention involves removing container covers within a controlled environment enclosure without using gloves. Apparatus has articulated arm apparatus and gripping apparatus and may further comprise controller. Articulated arm apparatus may be configurable for holding and moving container in three dimensions; and gripping apparatus may be configured for gripping and/or moving container cover sealing the container. Method comprises moving container using articulated arm apparatus while holding gripping area of container cover substantially stationary using gripping apparatus, optionally moving the gripping apparatus. Apparatus may further comprise sensor configured for supplying information to controller for determining location of container cover gripping area and orientation of container cover. Method may further comprise inspecting container cover using sensor. Container may be moved along path and within space determined by controller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for removing container covers within a controlled environment enclosure with pre-sterilized nested containers without using gloves. The apparatus comprises an articulated arm apparatus and a gripping apparatus for the pre-sterilized nested containers and can further comprise a controller. The articulated arm apparatus can be configurable for holding and moving a container in three dimensions; and the gripping apparatus can be configured for gripping a container cover sealing the container. The method comprises providing the pre-sterilized nested containers in the form of a container having a plurality of decontaminated parts, moving the container using the articulated arm apparatus while holding a gripping area of the container cover substantially stationary using the gripping apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for removing container covers within a controlled environment enclosure with pre-sterilized nested containers without using gloves. The apparatus comprises an articulated arm apparatus and a gripping apparatus for the pre-sterilized nested containers and can further comprise a controller. The articulated arm apparatus can be configurable for holding and moving a container in three dimensions; and the gripping apparatus can be configured for gripping a container cover sealing the container. The method comprises providing the pre-sterilized nested containers in the form of a container having a plurality of decontaminated parts, moving the container using the articulated arm apparatus while holding a gripping area of the container cover substantially stationary using the gripping apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for removing container covers within a controlled environment enclosure without using gloves. The apparatus comprises an articulated arm apparatus and a gripping apparatus and can further comprise a controller. The articulated arm apparatus can be configurable for holding and moving a container in three dimensions; and the gripping apparatus can be configured for gripping a container cover sealing the container. The method comprises moving the container using the articulated arm apparatus while holding a gripping area of the container cover substantially stationary using the gripping apparatus. The apparatus can further comprise a sensor configured for supplying information to the controller for determining the location of the container cover gripping area and an orientation of the container cover. The method can further comprise inspecting the container cover using the sensor. The container can be moved along a path and within a space determined by the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for removing container covers within a controlled environment enclosure without using gloves. The apparatus comprises an articulated arm apparatus and a gripping apparatus and can further comprise a controller. The articulated arm apparatus can be configurable for holding and moving a container in three dimensions; and the gripping apparatus can be configured for gripping a container cover sealing the container. The method comprises moving the container using the articulated arm apparatus while holding a gripping area of the container cover substantially stationary using the gripping apparatus. The apparatus can further comprise a sensor configured for supplying information to the controller for determining the location of the container cover gripping area and an orientation of the container cover. The method can further comprise inspecting the container cover using the sensor. The container can be moved along a path and within a space determined by the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for removing container covers within a controlled environment enclosure without using gloves. The apparatus comprises an articulated arm apparatus and a gripping apparatus and can further comprise a controller. The articulated arm apparatus can be configurable for holding and moving a container in three dimensions; and the gripping apparatus can be configured for gripping a container cover sealing the container. The method comprises moving the container using the articulated arm apparatus while holding a gripping area of the container cover substantially stationary using the gripping apparatus. The apparatus can further comprise a sensor configured for supplying information to the controller for determining the location of the container cover gripping area and an orientation of the container cover. The method can further comprise inspecting the container cover using the sensor. The container can be moved along a path and within a space determined by the controller.