Abstract: A universal pot lid handling device is described. The device can include an elongated handle portion and a clamping portion slidably coupled to the handle portion. The handle portion can include a fixed jaw at a distal end thereof and the clamping portion can include a moveable jaw. The fixed jaw and the moveable jaw can have opposing, longitudinally extending gripping portions. The fixed jaw and the moveable jaw can include spacing portions and the gripping portions of the fixed jaw and the moveable jaw can extend from the respective spacing portions. The clamping portion can include a longitudinally extending guide and the handle portion can include a receiving portion adapted to receive the guide.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems adapted to aid in a handling of sample containers (e.g., sample containers) in a processing or testing system. The method includes a sequence of motions of gripper fingers and a seater to accomplish a pick and place operation of a sample container where the sample container includes a sticky surface. A sample container positioning system is disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A tightening device is described. The tightening device can be utilized for facilitating the operation of rotation of items mutually coupled by means of closing and locking systems of rotating, screw, bayonet type, or the like.

Abstract: A suction jar opener includes a suction cup or other vacuum-creating mechanism secured to a handle. The suction cup forms a grip between a lid of a jar and the suction cup, allowing the handle to be rotated to remove the lid. The handle is preferably pivotable between a position that releases the suction and a position that causes a suction and is radially extending away from the jar.

Abstract: A bottle-opener for a closure for a bottle neck includes a hood 30 equipped with a first hook 38 comprising a contact surface with a lower surface of the closure, and a transmission lever hinged 32 on the hood and provided with a grip section 52 and a working portion 54 suitable for coming to bear against an upper surface of the closure.

Abstract: A screwtop opener with a first handle and a second handle which can be pivoted in relation to the first handle. A first clamping jaw is formed on the first handle and a second clamping jaw is formed on the second handle. A screwtop can be grasped by the two clamping jaws. A distance between the clamping jaws can be reduced by pivoting the two handles against each other. In accordance with this invention, a first clamping jaw is embodied on a straightedge, which can be pushed into the first handle and can be arrested in a multitude of positions with respect to the first handle. Thus, it is possible to achieve a short linear extension of the screwtop opener without foregoing the comfort of being able to also grasp and open large screwtops.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to openers and storage devices for bottled beverages. More particularly, the apparatus and method of the present invention relates to a device designed such that it may hold at least one bottle for storing and be used to easily remove bottle caps.

Abstract: An object gripping device for removing and installing bulbs and other objects. The device has around its circumference three or more vertical gripping posts. The device uses a sun gear and planetary gears to transmit the user's twisting motion to a gripping force applied equally around the object's circumference. Furthermore, the gearing ratio can be adjusted to create more or less leverage or gripping force applied to the bulb or object. The device could also be applied to gripping any object that is semi-cylindrical in shape. For instance, a robot can use the invented gear system to pick up or grip objects in a factory, laboratory, hospital, space exploration or home setting. Instead of a handle used to rotate the sun gear a drive shaft can be attached. An electric motor, a gas or diesel engine, a hydraulic power pack can rotate the drive shaft.

Abstract: A screw lid opener is disclosed which can be converted in an extremely simple manner from one lid radius to another With a screw lid opener having a lever-like handle with a clamping device thereon for holding a screw lid, the lid radius is set by three clamping cheeks for clamping on a screw lid. The clamping jaws are arranged at a distance from a center between the clamping jaws. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, at least one clamping jaw, whose distance from the center can be changed, is provided. This permits the conversion from one lid radius to another. Advantageously all three clamping jaws are embodied to be movable in the same way. With the same spectrum at various radii of lids, this results in a shorter travel for the individual clamping jaw.

Abstract: The present disclosure is a semi-automatic jar opener made up of a lower part including a run button activating an electric motor mounted under the lower part, which allows a lower plate to turn and activate a gear rack allowing the lower jaws provided with non-skid rubber strips to squeeze a jar according to the desired size, when the jar turns the friction rubber strips prevent it from sliding, and when the jar is unscrewed the electric motor stops automatically.

Abstract: The invention relates to an appliance for opening and closing a reagent-container stopper in a partially or fully automatic analysis apparatus, and to the method, which is applied by means of this appliance, for opening and closing a reagent-container stopper in a partially or fully automatic analysis appliance.

Abstract: A Jar Opener includes a beam, a handle, a fixed jaw, and a movable jaw. The Jar Opener is able to securely clamp a jar lid between the fixed jaw and the movable jaw, and the beam and handle are then turned to open the jar. The Jar Opener functions as a lever arm to enable any user to easily open virtually any twist top jar.

Abstract: A high-speed, hand-held attachment for flex rotor shafts of power rotary tools, and also for direct attachment to power rotary tools without flex rotor shafts, that converts rotary motion to reciprocating motion for precision control of cutting, carving, sawing, chiseling, filing, sanding, and engraving on delicate work pieces. The attachment is one assembly comprising a one-piece front one-piece enclosure (20), a rear one-piece enclosure (30), a high-speed bearing (22), a one-piece rotating piece (40) with integral cam groove, a one-piece reciprocating piece (50) with an integral cam follower on one end and with its other, exposed end accomodating the attachment of a chuck or collet and with geometry to prevent rotation, and a thumbscrew (32). Rotating piece (40) attaches directly to the rotary power source and provides the cam action drive to reciprocating piece (50). Bearing (22) provides rotative support for the other end of rotating piece (40).

Abstract: A radiator cap tool for removing a radiator cap comprising a base member that has at least two axially aligned rectangular apertures. A socket drive is disposed on one side to receive the drive portion of a socket handle. Two detents are disposed in the apertures extending orthogonally from the base member to form a gap on the side of the base member opposite the socket drive member. The detents are adjustable to vary the gap between the detents for use on various sized caps.

Abstract: Apparatus for twisting off crown bottle caps. A main body in side view is flattened and has a thickness, with a circular opening through the thickness, the opening large enough to accommodate the diameter of a crown bottle cap. The circumferential edge of the opening is formed into a plurality of pairs of facets, each pair of facets forming a notch. The walls of the facets are not parallel to one another but instead taper toward one another and form generally pyramidal shapes which intersect, or come to a point, within the main body thickness. An inverted triangular shape is formed between each pair of facets. A bottle cap is inserted into the opening, where the notches formed by the facets closely engage the bottle cap jags. The contour of the main body then permits the user to readily twist off the bottle cap.

Abstract: A high-speed, hand-held attachment for flex rotor shafts of power rotary tools, and also for direct attachment to power rotary tools without flex rotor shafts, that converts rotary motion to reciprocating motion for precision control of cutting, carving, sawing, chiseling, filing, sanding, and engraving on delicate work pieces. The attachment is one assembly comprising a one-piece front housing (20), a one-piece rear housing (30), a high-speed bearing (22), a one-piece rotating piece (40) with integral cam groove, a one-piece reciprocating piece (50) with an integral cam follower on one end and with its other, exposed end accomodating the attachment of a chuck or collet and with geometry to prevent rotation, and a thumbscrew (32). Rotating piece (40) attaches directly to the rotary power source and provides the cam action drive to reciprocating piece (50). Bearing (22) provides rotative support for the other end of rotating piece (40). Reciprocating piece (50) slidably mounts in front housing (20).

Abstract: A combination utensil has a one-piece plastic body with a bottle-cap-removing ring and an elongated bottle stopper projecting substantially radially outwardly from the ring. The ring has inclined end faces tapering toward the stopper and an opening positioned eccentrically thereof and extending therethrough between the end faces and defined by a frusticonical wall, the opening being chamfered at the small-diameter end. A metal plate is insert-molded in the stopper and has a lip which projects radially into the ring opening at the small-diameter end thereof. The inner and outer surfaces of the ring, except for the chamfer, are covered with a frictional cushioning material which defines circumferentially spaced ribs projecting radially inwardly of the frustoconical wall. The stopper is tapered toward a small-diameter distal end and its mid portion is surrounded with a frictional cushioning sheath having radially outwardly projecting circumferential ribs spaced axially of the stopper.