Abstract: An apparatus for removing a flip-off cap from a bottle for pharmaceutical substances, which enables automating the removal process in a pharmaceutical substance handling line and, at the same time, may be easy and inexpensive to manufacture. In an example the apparatus comprises a removal station in which a cap is removed from the bottle.

Abstract: A water ejecting apparatus includes a case and a water ejection unit coupled to one side of the case. The water ejection unit includes a fixed cover connected to the case and including a lifting gear provided on one side thereof and extending in an up-down direction and a guide bar provided on the other side thereof and extending in the up-down direction, a lifting cover movably accommodated inside the fixed cover, a lifting motor coupled to the lifting cover and configured to interwork with the lifting motor, and a water ejection nozzle installed at a lower end of the lifting cover and configured to eject water. One side of the gear module is in contact with and supported by the lifting gear and the other side thereof is in contact with and supported by the guide bar.

Abstract: A separator for centrifugally processing includes a rotatable drum having at least two drum parts, which can be rotated relative to one another at a screw thread. A drum tool is designed to open and close the drum by rotating the drum parts screwed together by the screw thread. The drum tool includes a retaining element attachable to the one drum part, a driver element attachable to the other, relatively rotatable drum part, and at least one rotation device for the relative rotation between the retaining element and the driver element together with the drum parts. The retaining and driver elements each having two or more points of engagement for the rotation device. The points of engagement are symmetrically arranged in such a way that forces produced by the rotation device produce a torque for the relative rotation of the drum parts, but no resulting force acting on the screwed drum parts on one side is produced.

Abstract: A system and method for easily operated self-releasing stopper/cork for bottles of compressed liquids. The corks have a gas bladder that is designed to be inserted in a bottle and inflated, the bladder having a ribbed or smooth exterior to complete the sealing of the bottle whereby a gas release mechanism can be activated by depressing a button on a cap or via an on-board micro controller and/or electro-mechanical release solution in the cap. Once the gas is released from the bladder the pressure inside the vessel will collapse the bladder's bottom and eject the cork assembly from the bottle.

Abstract: A water ejecting apparatus includes a case and a water ejection unit coupled to one side of the case. The water ejection unit includes a rotator seated inside at a front of the case, a first lifting cover coupled to one side of the rotator and allowing a lifting gear extending in an up-down direction to be fixed thereto, a second lifting cover movably accommodated inside the first lifting cover, a lifting motor coupled to the second lifting cover and configured to interwork with the lifting motor, and a water ejection nozzle installed at a lower end of the second lifting cover and configured to eject water. A water ejection pipe having one end connected to the water ejection nozzle and the other end extending to an inside of the case is disposed in a lower space of the lifting motor and the gear module.

Abstract: A machine for removal and extraction of a lid for containers includes: a centering element, for aligning the machine above the container; a gripping device for acting upon a contained lid, being capable of disengaging the lid from the container and holding the same lid; a first device for moving said gripping device along a vertical axis, between first and second positions, proximal to, and away from said centering element and a support structure, fixed to said centering element, for supporting said first device. The gripping device takes first and second operating configurations, wherein it does not act upon said lid, and wherein it does act upon a protruding portion of the lid. The centering element has an abutment portion to abut against an upper container edge, and to prevent the container from moving, without exerting any force upon said edge.

Abstract: An automated cork extractor includes a housing for enclosing a motor, a corkscrew, and a cork sleeve that does not move with respect to the housing during extraction of a cork from a bottle neck.

Abstract: A self-adjusting capping chuck includes a support having a longitudinal axis, a guide element fixed with respect to the support and having guides, jaws which engage respective guides and are movable with respect to the support between release and gripping positions, the jaws have respective gripping surfaces and first cam surfaces, and a control ring movable relative to the support along the longitudinal axis between lowered and raised positions and having second cam surfaces cooperating with first cam surfaces of the jaws, so that the movement of the control ring from the lowered to the raised position moves the jaws from the release to the gripping position. The control ring has an abutment wall arranged to abut on a head surface of a closure element so that, during movement of the chuck along the longitudinal axis, the closing element moves the control ring from the lowered to the raised position.

Abstract: A device for removing a cork from a bottle, the device including: (a) a hollow needle, adapted to be inserted in the cork; and (b) pressurized gas sealed in an inner volume of a container; wherein the pressurized gas is adapted to be released from the container when a path of fluid communication is formed between a proximal end of the hollow needle and the inner volume of the container, such that the pressurized gas is channeled through the hollow needle, and into the cork or into the bottle, below the cork thereby forcing the cork out of the bottle.

Abstract: The device for ejecting a cork from a corkscrew includes a body in which a spiral is received. There is a tubular cradle housed in a housing to accommodate the spiral and a cork screwed in the spiral. The cradle is formed by a stationary sleeve secured to the body and a sliding sleeve, translatable relative to the stationary sleeve, between a position in which it is completely nested in the stationary sleeve and a position in which it is at least partially removed from the stationary sleeve. Each sleeve has an upper end and a lower end, and the sliding sleeve has a mechanism to exert a force on the cork oriented toward the lower end of the stationary sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention is an automated liquid dispenser comprising novel mechanisms for removing a single container from a nested stack of containers, closing the bottom of the container, decapping the container, filling the container, capping the container, and dispensing the filled container to a user.

Abstract: A manual bottle opener (1) that provides a means to slowly and steadily remove a stopper made from cork, foam or plastic, from a bottle by utilizing a gearbox (26) to allow a high number of low torque rotations of a handle (9) to be converted into a lower number of high torque rotations of a corkscrew (2). As a result the stopper is removed without any sudden change in pulling force and there is therefore a risk that the user will not realize that the stopper is out and keep turning the handle (9) and as a result damage the stopper. A corkscrew (2) locking method is therefore provided to protect the stopper and an overload clutch (16) is provided to protect the gearbox (26) and provide auditory feedback to the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an electric wine opener. It includes a bracket and a driving device which comprises a rotating shaft with a polygonal cross-section and a motor. The rotating shaft is rotatably installed on the bracket. The motor is installed on the bracket. The input shaft of the motor is connected to the rotating shaft. The electric wine opener further comprises a cylindrical cork extraction device which comprises a sleeve, a screw, a threaded drill, a cork sleeve, the sleeve with internal thread in the middle is mounted in the bracket. The screw is provided with a hexagonal hole corresponding to the rotating shaft. The screw is fitted in the rotating shaft. The electric wine opener further comprises a clamping device.

Abstract: A locking-unlocking structure for guiding forward lifting of a lifting body lifted by repeating a pushing action is provided. The locking-unlocking structure includes an actuation guide unit provided at a center thereof therein with a stop groove to guide stop of a lifting body in a lifting state, having a lifting line and a falling line branching downward from the stop groove, and fixedly coupled to a fixing body, and an actuation unit comprising a lifting plate having a stop protrusion, which is mounted in the stop groove of the actuation guide unit or circulates along the lifting line and the falling line, and coupled to the lifting body movably left and right. The guide protrusion protrudes from the falling line of the actuation guide unit while being inclined downward along the falling line to block an entrance so that the stop protrusion of the lifting plate is prevented from entering the falling line when the lifting plate of the actuation unit is lifted.

Abstract: A hand-held container opener for providing a convenient way to open both containers with a twist-off cap and containers with a cork-stopper which includes a caliper clamp assembly mounted within a first open end of a housing and which is driven by a motor to initially clamp and subsequently twist off a cap on a container and which includes a second open end portion that includes a corkscrew driven by the motor or gas injection device for penetrating a cork for either twisting the cork from the container using the corkscrew or forcing the cork from the container using pressurized gas.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer of the present invention includes: a cap opening and closing mechanism including a plurality of types of support bodies, each being adaptable to a specific type of cap; an information control mechanism for sample containers; a cap opening and closing mechanism that performs uncapping and capping operations based on a sample container identifying process; and an uncapping/capping monitoring mechanism that determines an uncapping or capping operation. The cap opening and closing mechanism is thus configured so as to be capable of performing the uncapping and capping processes for different types of caps. This provides a cap opening and closing mechanism that enables the single cap opening and closing mechanism to perform the uncapping process and the capping process for different types of caps on a transfer path of sample containers in the automatic analyzer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for dispensing and aerating a beverage such as fine wine that has undergone long term bottle aging. The apparatus provides an elevated illuminated cradle upon which the bottle neck can be rested during dispensing of the beverage into a decanting vessel. Illumination is directed through the neck of the bottle to enable a user to detect the onset of the presence of sediment and then halt the dispensing process. The apparatus includes a removable flow channel portion with a downwardly inclined flow channel populated with protuberances to cause the beverage flowing thereon to cascade turbulently over the protuberances and thereby provide ample aeration as the beverage flows down the flow channel to the decanting vessel for collection. The flow channel portion further includes a removable filter to prevent any inadvertent passage of sediment from reaching the decanting vessel.

Abstract: A hand tool (10) for capping or removing a cap from a container. The tool comprises a housing assembly (20) and a gearbox assembly (200) positioned within the housing assembly. The gearbox assembly includes a motor (42), a lead screw (70) rotated by the motor and a screw pusher (90) engaged by the lead screw and moved axially based on rotation of the lead screw. The gearbox assembly is adapted to engage a jaw set assembly (200) with the screw pusher operatively engaging a jaw set of the jaw set assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for the removal of sediment from sparkling wines, designed to remove the capsule covering the neck of a bottle (18) containing sparkling wine, comprising: a frame (12), a tilting mechanism (14) comprising: a holder (16) for supporting a bottle (18) in a predetermined position, said holder (16) being movable on the frame (12) between a low position, in which the neck is inclined downwards, and a high position in which the neck is inclined upwards, and a capsule removing mechanism (32) provided with at least one capsule removing knife, said capsule removing mechanism (32) being movable on the holder (16) and synchronized with said holder (16) so that the said capsule removing knife or knives remove(s) the capsule, when the holder (16) is in a predetermined angular position relative to the horizontal. The capsule removing knife is movable relative to the capsule removing mechanism (32).

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for pretreating sample that can unplug a rubber-plugged sample tube and a resin-plugged sample tube in one unplugging unit. The system for pretreating sample includes a sample rack on which a plugged sample tube can be mounted, a conveyor line for conveying the sample rack, and an unplugging unit that has a clamp device for holding the plugged sample tube at the time of unplugging and a plug chuck device for chucking the plug of the plugged sample tube held by the clamp device and unplugging the sample tube. The plug chuck device can unplug both the rubber-plugged and resin-plugged sample tubes. More specifically, the plug chuck device has a combination of an unplugging chuck having a suitable shape for unplugging the rubber-plugged sample tube and another unplugging chuck having a suitable shape for unplugging the resin-plugged sample tube.

Abstract: A device for extracting a cork from a bottle comprising a generally T-shaped handle mounted on a housing having an upper end and a lower end, a shaft which is operatively connected to handle for axial and rotational movement therewith, the shaft having a hollow passage with an air intake and an air exhausting hole. The shaft depending from the lower end of the housing for griping and penetrating the cork longitudinally thereby presenting the air exhausting hole to the interior of the bottle. A pump configured to push for selectively pumping air from the housing through the shaft into the bottle between the cork and the contents of the bottle such that air in the bottle forces the cork out of the bottle in conjunction with force applied by pulling the T-shaped handle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bottle opening device comprising first and second receptacles to receive at least a portion of a neck of a bottle, with the first receptacle including a wrapper cutting apparatus having at least one cutting element configured to cut a sever in a wrapper on the neck of the bottle, wherein the cutting element is movable towards and away from the wrapper on the neck of the bottle, and the second receptacle including a stopper extractor apparatus configured to remove a stopper from the bottle.

Abstract: A device for extracting a cork from a bottle comprising a generally T-shaped handle mounted on a housing having an upper end and a lower end, a shaft which is operatively connected to handle for axial and rotational movement therewith, the shaft having a hollow passage with an air intake and an air exhausting hole. The shaft depending from the lower end of the housing for griping and penetrating the cork longitudinally thereby presenting the air exhausting hole to the interior of the bottle. A pump configured to push for selectively pumping air from the housing through the shaft into the bottle between the cork and the contents of the bottle such that air in the bottle forces the cork out of the bottle in conjunction with force applied by pulling the T-shaped handle.

Abstract: A corkscrew for removing a cork or a stopper from a bottle containing wine, or other beverage or food product is disclosed. The corkscrew has socket (19) which is provided with vertical axis that is dimensioned to receive the neck of a bottle, while corkscrew spiral (2) is arranged axially within the socket. A CPU is electrically communicated with battery pack, and is charged to determine whether the battery pack can perform sufficient work to open a cork and to provide a signal to the LED display (13) that indicates the number of corks which can be removed using the corkscrew. The corkscrew can be operated with one hand since physical force or dexterity are not required to operate the corkscrew, and prevents accidental injury or damaging of work surface since CPU is electrically communicated with battery pack.

Abstract: A hand held opener for opening a frangible closer comprising a handle adapted to be gripped by an operator, a motion actuator operatively connected to the handle, a first shaft connected to the motion actuator, a second shaft connected to the motion actuator, a first gripper portion on the first shaft adapted to grip the frangible closer in a first location, and a second gripper portion on the second shaft adapted to grip the frangible closer in a second location wherein the motion actuator provides reciprocal movement to the shafts to rotate the frangible closer in one direction and to rotate the frangible closer in a direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A device for gripping a cylindrical object comprises two gripping springs and an actuator, wherein: each gripping spring comprises a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an arcuate section disposed therebetween; the gripping springs are disposed on the device such that the first ends are pivotally coupled to the device, and the arcuate sections oppose each other so as to define an opening through which the cylindrical object is inserted; and the actuator is mechanically coupled to at least one of the second ends of the gripping springs such that movement of the actuator causes the arcuate sections of the gripping springs to grip the cylindrical object when inserted into the opening.

Abstract: A lid actuator for opening and closing a specimen vial is provided. The lid actuator is generally adapted for use with automated laboratory equipment, for example, specimen auto sampling equipment, laboratory analytical testing equipment, food and product filling equipment and the like. The lid actuator generally includes an enclosure for maintaining a vial in an upright orientation, and a linkage assembly for rotationally engaging and mechanically opening the lid of the specimen vial. Additional features of the lid-actuator may further include a specimen vial ejection member, a vial catch tray, and an input tray.

Abstract: Device (10) and method for opening containers (12) containing liquids, to remove lids (11) or capsules from the relative containers (12). The lids (11) are conformed so as to define a spout (11a) with a hole in it to allow the liquid to come out of the container (12). The device (10) comprises one or more extraction members (15), each provided with an air passage pipe (17) associable with at least part of the spout (11a) in order to selectively introduce pressurized air inside a relative container (12). A closing valve member (30) is disposed along the air passage pipe (17), and is selectively openable when the extraction member (15) is associated with a relative spout (11a), and wherein the introduction of pressurized air inside the container (12) determines a relative movement of separation of the lid (11) and the container (12).

Abstract: To solve problems in a conventional electric can opening apparatus wherein it is impractical to drain the unwanted liquid from the inside of the can after opening the container and disposing of the top lid or top without touching it. The composite can opener includes a body with a gripping member gripping a can while an opening member cuts the top of the can open and a piston that selectively pushes the top into and out of the can after it has been cut.

Abstract: A hand tool (10) for capping or removing a cap from a container. The tool comprises a housing assembly (20) and a gearbox assembly (200) positioned within the housing assembly. The gearbox assembly includes a motor (42), a lead screw (70) rotated by the motor and a screw pusher (90) engaged by the lead screw and moved axially based on rotation of the lead screw. The gearbox assembly is adapted to engage a jaw set assembly (200) with the screw pusher operatively engaging a jaw set of the jaw set assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for pretreating sample that can unplug a rubber-plugged sample tube and a resin-plugged sample tube in one unplugging unit. The system for pretreating sample includes a sample rack on which a plugged sample tube can be mounted, a conveyor line for conveying the sample rack, and an unplugging unit that has a clamp device for holding the plugged sample tube at the time of unplugging and a plug chuck device for chucking the plug of the plugged sample tube held by the clamp device and unplugging the sample tube. The plug chuck device can unplug both the rubber-plugged and resin-plugged sample tubes. More specifically, the plug chuck device has a combination of an unplugging chuck having a suitable shape for unplugging the rubber-plugged sample tube and another unplugging chuck having a suitable shape for unplugging the resin-plugged sample tube.

Abstract: A closure for a container includes: (a) an inner cylindrical wall having first and second ends and defining a space; (b) an outer cylindrical wall opposite the inner cylindrical wall and having the first and second ends to form an outer surface of the closure; (c) a first end wall extending across said first end, wherein the first end wall comprises a recess extending a least partially into the space, and a first set of threads disposed on the recess. An apparatus usable on a diagnostic analyzer container and includes: a threaded rotatable spindle adapted for threading into a closure having a threaded depression and for applying a rotational force to remove the closure; and a clutch having an element adapted to engage the closure and apply a rotational to the closure.

Abstract: A bottle opener and closer is battery powered and designed to drive a rubber-lined main drive cup which fits over a screw-on bottle cap. The main drive cup is has conically angled sides so that a small downward force on the opener and closer will cause the bottle cap to be positively engaged by a rubber liner to confer a high radial gripping force on the circumference of the bottle cap. The opener and closer may include a finger passage which allows insertion of a finger or other object for ejecting retained bottle caps. Accessory drive cups may be interfaced with the main drive cup to allow the opener to be used with an wide range of bottle cap sizes.

Abstract: According to the present invention, A corkscrew comprising: a casing; a downwardly opening socket within the casing, the socket having a vertical axis being dimensioned to receive the neck of a bottle; a corkscrew spiral arranged axially within the socket; a motor adapted to rotate the spiral in clockwise and anticlockwise directions; a power supply battery; a sleeve having an axial bore mounted for axial movement within the socket; spring means adapted to bias the sleeve downwardly within the socket; a control circuit including a microprocessor and a memory; a display; and an upper position sensor; the motor upon actuation causing the spiral to rotate in a first direction to penetrate the cork and withdraw the cork from the bottle neck; the axial bore being dimensioned to receive and engage the cork preventing rotation of the cork; the upper position sensor being adapted to detect when the cork is completely removed from the bottle and to generate a signal to stop rotation of the spiral; the microprocesso

Abstract: An air powered bottle cap remover that can rotate at a slower speed than a conventional air powered wrench tip. The present invention rotates conventionally via air from an air powered tool such as that typically found in an auto garage. One end of the present invention is sized to fit a conventional air power tool, while the other end of the present invention is sized and shaped to receive a conventional bottle cap, such as a crown bottle cap. A rubber insert prevents noise and abrasion from the present invention rubbing atop a bottle cap being removed.

Abstract: A device for gripping a cylindrical object comprises two gripping springs and an actuator, wherein: each gripping spring comprises a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an arcuate section disposed therebetween; the gripping springs are disposed on the device such that the first ends are pivotally coupled to the device, and the arcuate sections oppose each other so as to define an opening through which the cylindrical object is inserted; and the actuator is mechanically coupled to at least one of the second ends of the gripping springs such that movement of the actuator causes the arcuate sections of the gripping springs to grip the cylindrical object when inserted into the opening.

Abstract: A hand held opener for opening a frangible closer comprising a handle adapted to be gripped by an operator, a motion actuator operatively connected to the handle, a first shaft connected to the motion actuator, a second shaft connected to the motion actuator, a first gripper portion on the first shaft adapted to grip the frangible closer in a first location, and a second gripper portion on the second shaft adapted to grip the frangible closer in a second location wherein the motion actuator provides reciprocal movement to the shafts to rotate the frangible closer in one direction and to rotate the frangible closer in a direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for driving a slide under a wedge within a slot of an armature or field of a dynamoelectric machine. The tool comprises a frame including a pair of elongated rail members; a force application block located between the rail members; a drive connected to the frame, substantially intermediate opposite ends of the frame; a lead screw threadably engaged at one end with the force application block and connected at an opposite end to the drive such that the drive rotates the lead screw when actuated. Rotation of the lead screw causes axial movement of the force application block. The armature or field includes a core, and this core may have one or more vent slots for facilitating ventilation of the armature or field. A slot plate for locating the tool relative to the slide is present, and a portion of the slot plate extends into one or more vent slots. The slot plate establishes a reaction point for forces applied by the force application block to the stator slide.

Abstract: An automatic bottle opener using a mechanical system that automatically stops rotation of the worm screw only in anti-clockwise direction during the extraction stage. A rotation stopper having a one-way bearing for coupling the stopper to the worm screw allows the screw to rotate when displaced axially in one direction, but prevents such rotation when axially displaced in the opposite direction.

Abstract: To solve problems in a conventional cap opening apparatus wherein it is uneconomical and requires a large storage space to prepare dedicated cap opening apparatus to open the caps of various cans and bottles sealed by different systems and, in a conventional cap opening apparatus having cap opening functions for different applications at both ends of a single output shaft, when one of the functions is set to develop a proper capacity, the other develops an excessive or a sufficient capacity. This cap opening apparatus comprises a speed changing portion 50 having a gear train for matching the output of a motor to the purposes of a plurality of output shafts and an output power changing section for the gear train. Since the speed changing portion transmits optimum torques to the output shafts 133 and 140 and can selectively drive only one output shaft through the output power changing section, safety can be increased.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing a childproof cap from a container having a locking mechanism, the apparatus, which is configured for one-handed operation, comprises a cap-engaging assembly wherein a first portion is urged toward a second portion that applies a force against the childproof cap when the container is maintained in a fixed position. The cap-engaging assemble further comprises a actuating mechanism, such as a caming mechanism, that is configured such that as the first portion is urged toward the second portion the cap is initially depressed in a linear direction until the actuating mechanism is engaged, whereby the second portion is rotated slightly relative to the first portion so that the childproof cap is also rotated and becomes disengaged from the locking mechanism of the container. The apparatus may optionally include a support apparatus that operatively connects the cap-engaging mechanism to a support base that receives the container, such as via a pivoting arm.

Abstract: A device for removing an enclosure from a container includes a housing at least partially enclosing at least one reversible motor and at least two spaced-apart cams. The cams are rotatable in a first rotational direction in which the cams grasp the container and in a second rotational direction in which the cams are rotated a predetermined distance away from the container. A wrench disk is operatively connected to and rotatable by the at least one motor. At least two spaced-apart wrenches are pivotally attached to the wrench disk for removably grasping the enclosure. Operation of the motor in a first direction rotates the wrench disk in a first rotational direction causing the wrenches to grasp and rotate the enclosure relative to the container. Operation of the motor in a second direction rotates the wrench disk in a second rotational direction causing the wrenches to rotate a predetermined distance away from the enclosure.

Abstract: A cork extractor having a plunger, a wire attached to the plunger and an extracting element attached to the wire. The cork extractor is used to remove broken corks from bottles.

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 automatic decapping device for test tubes is capable of decapping 20 or more test tubes pre-loaded onto a round carousel. A small motor drives three offset cams. The first offset cam pushes a decap/eject arm over the cap of a tube. The cam and associated drive arms and brackets move a needle down and into the cap. The decap arm and needle are then raised and pull the cap upward and back, removing the cap. An ejection lever then removes the cap from the needle and the cap is fed down a disposal chute. A second offset cam simultaneously moves a support arm onto the lower part of the vertical tube to support the tube as the decapping occurs. As the decap/eject and support arms return to their home positions a third offset cam drives the carousel to position the next tube in front of the decap/eject and support arms and the cycle begins again. A one-way spring ratchet positioning mechanism allows for the incremental positioning of each tube in proper position for each decapping cycle.

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 motorized 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: A bottle opener including a housing with a inner cavity; a pair of clamping handles having upper portions coupled to the lower portions of the housing, and the lower portions including clamping portions configured to mate with the neck of the bottle. Also included are an actuator; a first sliding block making reciprocating movement in a longitudinal axis direction with respect to the inner cavity of the housing by the actuator; a helical screw assembly having an upper portion mounted in the first sliding block by a bearing and a lower portion that is free with rotation related to the first sliding block; and a second sliding block contained only slidably in the inner cavity of housing and positioned between the bottom plane of the inner cavity and the lower surface of the first sliding block.

Abstract: An economical system and method for eliminating manual operations in smaller scale animal feeding water bottle management is provided. A hand held cap removal tool captures the perimeter of the water bottle cap for automatic capping or decapping. Provisions for suspending the tool for convenient universal motion over a work area are described. The cap removal tool accommodates straight and angled water delivery tubes and most popular water bottle cap sizes.

Abstract: A device for opening a container having a screw-on lid includes a rotating turntable for holding the container and a non-rotating lid engaging member that, after being driven in a first direction into the lid by an axial drive, is disengaged from the axial drive by deflection occurring within a coupling between the axial drive and the lid engaging member.

Abstract: A capper/de-capper system 1 has a rack support 10 for supporting a rack 11 containing a plurality of capped tubes 31 in a given position. A head unit 12 supports a two-dimensional array of capping/de-capping spindles 13, each of which includes a clutch 133 and a capping/de-capping spigot 131 or socket, the spindles being aligned with the tube positions defined in the rack. A drive mechanism 108 moves the tubes and the head unit relatively towards and away from one another in use, when a rack containing capped tubes is disposed in the rack support, causing engagement and disengagement of the capping/de-capping spigots or sockets with and from the tube caps 32. A spindle drive system 15-22 provides simultaneous rotation of the capping/de-capping spigots or sockets together after engagement with the caps, either to detach caps from the tubes or attach caps to the tubes.