Abstract: A tool is provided for use in near simultaneous removal of a plurality of caps from a strip of PCR reaction tubes held in a tube rack (and, in an alternate embodiment, for also recapping the tubes) without disturbing the contents thereof.

Abstract: An unlocking tool for opening a container operates by the action of a lever. The container includes a first half and a second half connected to each other for rotation. The first half includes a latch finger, and the second half has a hole for receiving the latch finger and engaging with it to keep the container closed. The second half also includes a second hole adjacent to the first hole for suspension of said container. The unlocking tool of the invention functions as a lever along which the tool has an effort point, a fulcrum and an acting point. The tool is formed to pass in part through the second hole of the second half and rotate around the fulcrum positioned in the second hole. When the tool is rotated around the fulcrum positioned in the second hole, the acting point of the tool urges the latch finger to release the engagement between the latch finger and the first hole of the second member, thereby opening the container.

Abstract: A combination cigar clipper and bottle opener having a substantially rectangular configuration with a fixed bottle opener at one end and a D-shaped handle at the other end. The D-shaped handle is attached to a blade which is slidably disposed within the hollow rectangular housing and is adapted for clipping off the end of a cigar. An aperture, through which cigars may be inserted for clipping off the ends, is positioned centrally to the rectangular housing.

Abstract: The device has a V-shaped wedge provided with a flexible belt which is adjustable to locate on either side of the inside surfaces of the wedge. The belt has frictional side surfaces. The lid of a jar may be either opened or closed by jamming against the convergent inside surfaces between one side of the wedge and the belt adjusted to abut the other side of the wedge. One end of the belt is mounted to the vertex of the wedge and its other end is mounted to a slider button sliderably mounted to an arcuate periphery of a supporting plate of the device.

Abstract: The present invention is an opener for a package closure. The opener is designed to work with a push tab that has a depressable end which may pierce the package. The opener has a handle and a protrusion. The protrusion may be attached to the handle, or the protrusion may be attached to an angled portion which is attached to the handle. The protrusion is adapted to be positioned on the depressable end of the push tab. The opener may also include a prong which is adapted to fit in an air vent of the push tab. The prong may be attached to the handle, or the prong may be attached to an angled portion which is attached to the handle. The protrusion is spaced from the prong so that it is positioned on the depressable end of the push tab when the prong is positioned in the air vent. When the protrusion is positioned on the depressable end of the push tab, the user may apply sufficient downward force to the handle of the opener in order to cause the depressable end of the push tab to pierce and open the package.

Abstract: A can opener used with a can having an operating rim and an opening to be covered in an air-tight manner by a cover having an operating flange includes an operating medium for being operated against the operating flange to open the can covered in the air-tight manner by the cover, and an attaching medium secured to the can for always attaching thereto the operating medium in a position ready for opening the can.

Abstract: A bucket lid remover is provided including a strip having an inboard extent with a U-shaped configuration. An outboard extent has a generally J-shaped configuration with a vertically oriented upper portion and an angled lower portion coupled to a bottom end of the upper portion and extending upwardly and inwardly therefrom. A horizontally oriented intermediate extent is coupled between the inboard extent and the outboard extent. Also included is a screw driver removably mounted to the strip and extending therefrom for leverage purposes.

Abstract: A pull ring to facilitate opening of pop-top or pull-top cans. The pull ring consists of a flat portion with two attached arms. The two arms defining an opening large enough to accommodate entry of a portion of the tab of the closure of the pull-top or pop-top can. The two arms and the flat portion define a aperture in communication with the opening which is large enough to contain the handle portion of the tab. The ring has one or more protrusions on the arms, opposite the flat portion, to aid gripping. The ring is movable from a down position, where it protrudes minimally from the can surface, to a deployed position, where it remains in place by means of a flat outer surface of the flat portion resting on the can's surface.

Abstract: A device for opening sealed cans of the type using a pull-ring to initiate the opening of the lid. The device consists of a cylindrical hollow tube having a handle on one end. On the end of the device opposite the handle, there is a flattened portion of the tube which is made to slip under the pull-ring for initial raising of the pull-ring from the container lid. In the approximate transverse center of the hollow tube, there are two oblong openings that run longitudinally along the surface of the tube. Proximate to the oblong openings, there is an inwardly protruding rivet-like structure. In use, one of the oblong openings, depending upon the hand preference, is placed over the pull-ring until the cylindrical body of the tool comes to rest on the rim of the container. As the opener is then rotated along the rim of the container, the oblong opening begins to bind upon the pull-ring.

Abstract: A method and tool for manipulating an opening tab mounted on a beverage container. The tool has an elongate body having a front-end, an opposing distal end, a top face and a lower face. An internal channel is defined within the elongate body beginning in the front-end and extending lengthwise within the elongate body. The internal channel is sized at least as high, as least as wide and at least as long as the tab. A cut-away is made in the lower face of the elongate body. The cut-away communicates with the internal chamber to allow the elongate body to be positioned or slid with the tab held within the internal channel. The elongate body extends past the site where the tab is mounted and the top face of the elongate body substantially covers the tab. A groove is defined in the lower face of the elongate body distally from the front-end. The groove is sized and spaced to grip the rim of the container.

Abstract: A kneading paddle extraction device for removing the kneading paddle from a loaf of bread made by an automatic bread making machine, while minimizing damage to the loaf, is provided. A kneading paddle containing a substantially central aperture for receiving a motor shaft is grasped by one or more rods, each rod having a hook which is inserted through the aperture, with the preferred embodiment additionally utilizing a sliding wedge for grasping the kneading paddle.

Abstract: A tool for removing lids from containers is formed from a single piece of planar rigid material by stamping or cutting therefrom a pattern and thereafter bending portions of the pattern into operative elements including a handle portion and a head portion. The head portion includes a first flange having a first flange flap, an inward projecting recess, a cutting flange having a cutting edge, a second flange, and a third flange, wherein the third flange and the cutting flange are bent to the same side of the tool to perform a cutting function while the first flange and the second flange are bent to the opposite side to facilitate a prying function.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a can tab opener is provided, having a handle portion 12, and an upper outwardly extending first opening member 14. A second lower opening member 16 is provided, having a distial end 18 which is inclined downwardly. The upper member 14 includes a extension 15 which is inclined upwardly at its distal end portion, as indicated at 17. An optional feature is a bottle cap opener 20 which includes an arcuate cut-out portion 22 to engage a bottle cap and an opening 24 to facilitate storing the device at a convenient place.

Abstract: The present invention is a disposable device which is attached to the tab of a conventional aluminum beverage can at the time of manufacture. When a consumer pulls the device upward, the tab is likewise pulled upward to a position in which the consumer can easily grasp the tab and consequently open the can. Two embodiments of the present invention are provided.

Abstract: A folding can opener and an improved method for opening cans are provided. The can opener includes a handle; a cutter pivotably mounted to the handle; and a locking mechanism for the cutter. The cutter can be locked in an operating position in which a pointed tip of the cutter is adapted to pierce the can. The cutter can also be locked in a storage position in which the pointed tip is folded towards the handle and shielded by the handle. The locking mechanism includes a barrel cam formed on the cutter and having a lug for engaging a seam of the can and pairs of indentations having camming edges. The indentations are adapted for mating engagement with pawls formed on the handle (or separate pins placed between the handle and cutter). The handle is formed in a wish bone shape which permits the pawls to flex to allow engagement and disengagement of the pawls with the indentations.

Abstract: A hoof sensitivity testing device, in which an L-shaped member, having a handle and a slide, is positioned so that the slide passes through a hole in a pivoting arm, having a handle and a jaw. The pivoting arm rotationally moves around a pivot pin, located on the L-shaped member and pivoting arm. A second jaw is positioned on the slide, which allows the second jaw to move laterally in relation to the first jaw, so that the mouth portion, defined by the jaws, can grip a wide range of objects. The adjustable positioning of the jaws allow them to apply force along a shared axial line to various portions of the bottom of an animal hoof, to test for sensitivity to pressure in the hoof.

Abstract: A utensil is adapted to be held by a user and manipulated by the user's hand to operate on a workpiece. One feature of the utensil enables the user to gain mechanical advantage when locking and unlocking key-operated locking mechanisms by displacing a key from its stowed state to its extended state. Other features include a letter opener, a cap remover, and an abrasive element.

Abstract: An opener tool having a working end, a convexly curved underside portion and a handle. The working end is dimensioned for insertion under the ring portion of a pull tab without lifting the pull tab ring sufficiently to bread the seal of the can top. The tool further has a stop element for limiting insertion of the working end through the finger opening.

Abstract: An opener can remove a container cap with a discrete, rigid tab mounted in a notch formed in a handle. The notch is formed in a first end of the handle and extends transversely across the handle for engaging the container cap. The tab is mounted at one of a pair of banks bordering the notch. The tab extends partially into the notch for engaging the container cap. The handle can have a centrally located transverse bore adapted to hold a corkscrew coaxially. For a hollow handle, the corkscrew can be stored inside the handle.

Abstract: A tool for lifting container lid lift tabs comprises a thin, relatively long and narrow body suitable for holding in a user's thumb and fingers. The body has a front edge and top and bottom surfaces, the front edge having a beveled undersurface that extends rearwardly and downwardly at an acute angle with respect to the bottom surface whereby the tool may be slipped under a container lid tab with the beveled undersurface aligned generally parallel with surface of the container lid. The top surface has a generally planar main area and has a concavity located adjacent the front edge, the concavity intersecting the front edge and having a sloped container lid tab-contacting surface that extends upwardly and rearwardly from the front edge until intersecting with the top main area.

Abstract: A curved snap fastener opener has a wedged shape with a recess at one end. As the wedge end of the opener is slid between the snap fastener base and the snap fastener cap, the curved shape of the opener provides an upward pressure on the cap of the snap fastener which assists in separating the cap from the base of the snap fastener. The surfaces of the opener have no sharp discontinuities which can result in breakage if additional pressure is applied at the end of the opener opposite the wedge end to pry open unyielding snap fasteners. The opener is small and has an opening which allows it to be carried on key holders such as key chains and key rings.

Abstract: Device for opening cans and the like, of the type having a ring on the lid for its opening, which is comprised of a body (1) with a curved surface, receiving at one end a lever arm (2) and a hook (3) susceptible of being coupled to the opening loop of the container, thereby enabling its controlled tearing; the curved structure body (1) has the shape of a curved plate which, by one end, is integral with the lever arm (2) with a curvature opposite to the plate.

Abstract: Approximating apparatus for surgical jaw structure is provided which effects substantially parallel approximation of first and second surgical jaw structure to permit substantially parallel working interaction therebetween. The approximating apparatus includes camming structure for engaging at least one movable jaw of the surgical jaw structure to bias that jaw toward or away from a second jaw structure in a substantially parallel manner. A tissue stop may be provided to more easily guide and protect tissue captured by the jaw structure.

Abstract: A puller for removing the scored portion from "easy open" beverage cans which can be positioned on the finger of the user and has a hook portion for engaging the ring on the can top.

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: An opener, especially for opening tab-top beverage containers and certain vehicle door handle systems has an essentially flat, rectangular handle portion with a curved tail end and a hook disposed at an opposite end of the handle portion. The inventive opener simplifies the tasks of opening tab-top beverage containers end certain vehicle door handle systems, while protecting a user's hands and fingernails.

Abstract: Approximating apparatus for surgical jaw structure is provided which effects substantially parallel approximation of first and second surgical jaw structure to permit substantially parallel working interaction therebetween. The approximating apparatus includes camming structure for engaging at least one movable jaw of the surgical jaw structure to bias that jaw toward or away from a second jaw structure in a substantially parallel manner.

Abstract: Pull tab can opener, comprising a non flexible hook attached to an adjustable band to be wrapped around a finger digit and worn as a finger band to allow ease, speed and safety in opening pull tab cans.

Abstract: A device for removing a rubber stopper from a test tube is mountable to an upright wall, has a generally horizontal splash guard, and a lower plate spaced parallel to and below the splash guard. A slot in the lower plate has spaced-apart opposing edges that converge towards each other from the plate outer edge to a narrowed portion, the opposing edges shaped to make engagement between the bottom of the stopper flange and the top edge of the test tube to wedge therebetween and to grasp the stopper in the slot narrowed portion to hold the stopper as the test tube is manipulated downwardly and pulled from the stopper. The opposing edges extend inwardly to adjoin an opening having a diameter significantly larger than that of the stopper flange.

Abstract: A device for removing a child resistant closure from a container, including a tab to receive the protrusion of a closure of the line-up-the-arrows type, a recess to receive the closure adjacent the tab, an inclined side of the recess to bear against the closure and maintain the tab in engagement with the protrusion, and an end of the device opposite the tab to receive a force. The recess is such that it can accept varying sizes of closures. Applying a force to the forcereceiving end in the downward direction levers the tab upward to pry the closure off the container. The tab is positioned on the device in such a way that the user can readily see the engagement of the tab with the closure protrusion.

Abstract: An opening device is described for cans having a tear-away closure panel that is defined by a circular score line adjacent the rim of the can, the panel being connected by a rivet to a ring tab lying approximately flush with the surface of the panel. The device has a generally circular perimeter, a handle opposite the perimeter, and a recess in the perimeter formed by a narrow mouth and two opposed prongs, the sides of at least one prong being separated by an acute angle. The opener is operated by wedging a prong beneath the ring tab to pry it upwardly and break the score line. Then the device is rolled toward the opposite side of the can, pulling the closure panel upwardly while continuing to break the score line until the closure panel is removed from the can.

Abstract: A pry device adapted for removing a lid from a container comprises a first lever member, a second lever member and a fulcrum element interconnecting the first and second lever members for relative pivotal movement therebetween. The first lever member has a first handle portion and a first lip portion opposite the first handle portion. The first lip portion is configured to engage an edge portion of the lid when the lid is secured to the container. The second lever member has a second handle portion and a second lip portion opposite the second handle portion. The second lip portion is configured to engage a flange on the container. The first and second lip portions are movable between a contracted position and an expanded position. In the contracted position, the first and second lip portions are at a first distance sufficiently to respectfully engage the edge portion of the lid and the flange.

Abstract: A tool for assisting people in opening pull tab actuated cans of two types. The tool is provided with structural features for engaging a pull tab ring to facilitate pivotal movement of a pull tab. The tool is also provided with structural features including a hook for engaging a pull tab ring of a pull tab to facilitate substantially linear movement of the pull tab for removing tear-away lids of cans so equipped.

Abstract: A bottle opening device with a bottle opener having a handle supported on a flexible sheet of material. The sheet of material has two straps and an intermediate part. The intermediate part has the handle of the bottle opener fixed to it and rests in the palm of the user's hand. The intermediate part extends from the palm and has two spaced openings to receive the middle finger and the ring finger of the user's hand. The intermediate part extends under the wrist of the hand and has two straps fixed to it. The straps are for example, like VELCRO-type material by which the straps can be attached together to hold the opener in place.

Abstract: An opener accessory for opening containers designed with flip-top opening mechanisms. The accessory is formed in the shape of a finger band having a pry end extending from the finger band for urging a pull-tab member of a flip-top opening mechanism. The opener accessory is preferably produced from a flat, thin, narrow, one-piece construction metallic structure formed having a pry end at one end and a finger band end at the other end. The finger band is formed as a rounded portion and a straight portion for encircling a user's finger, such as a thumb. The straight portion extends across the rounded portion and terminates at the finger band end. The pry end is formed as an integral extension of the finger band's rounded portion and is preferably machined stamped and chamfered for facilitating snagging a pull-tab member of the flip-top opening mechanism. In certain respects the accessory's pry end resembles a fingertip and fingernail, but accomplishes the same function without the normal prying discomfort.

Abstract: An ultracentrifuge with a snap can and a tool for removing or installing the snap cap. The tool also is formed for installing and removing screw caps from centrifuge tubes, test tubes or the like. The ultracentrifuge tube has a balanced positive securement structure with a support collar that supports the tube independently of the cap securement structure. The tool has manually grippable, elongated body constructed of a semi-rigid material, and one end of the tool body includes a slot and a tab protruding from the tool end directly above the slot. The tool tab is formed to engage the top of the snap cap when a pry lip of the snap cap is inserted into the slot. The user can swing the tool up to unsnap the cap from the tube. The opposite end of the tool includes an open ended socket dimensioned and tapered to grippably receive the outer circumferential perimeter of a screw cap for a centrifuge tube thereby facilitating easy removal or installation.

Abstract: A new and improved tool for rapidly removing sealed covers from large paint buckets, oil buckets, and the like and comprising a handle having a hammer member affixed to one end thereof and a hook member extending away from the handle at a predetermined angle. The hook member has a slot therein defining a pair of hook ends, and a cutting blade member is located in the slot and is joined to the hook member. The blade member has a cutting edge of the same general contour as that of the pair of hook ends, and the blade member is thus partially protected from exposure to users during both transport and operation. A first upward torquing motion of the tool member is used to pull the cutting edge of the blade through slots or grooves in the edge of the lid being removed, whereas a second upward torquing motion of the tool is made after the lid edge has been inserted between the end of the cutting blade and a pair of hook ends located on each side thereof.

Abstract: A protective cap having a sealable cover for canned soft drinks and the like is disclosed. The cap comprises an outer periphery configured to receive and snap over a conventional beverage can such that a gas-tight seal is formed, a grate positioned to cover the opening in the top of the can through which the beverage may be consumed, and a hingeable cover having a seal which can be rotated between opened and closed positions to permit consumption of the beverage when in the open position and to seal the container when in the closed position. The sealing of the container prevents contamination of the enclosed beverage and seals in carbonation. It also prevents spillage if the container is overturned.

Abstract: A lid prying tool is disclosed having a handle at one end, a hook at the other end, and a first fulcrum located in between. The tool further includes a knife edge, and a second fulcrum located between the handle and the knife edge. In one embodiment of the invention, the first fulcrum and the associated hook are located on the opposite side of the tool from the second fulcrum and the associated knife blade. In this manner the tool is reversible to accomplish both cutting and prying actions on opposite sides of the tool.

Abstract: A pry type hand tool for making drain holes in the bottom wall of a lid receiving channel on the top rim of a paint can. The tool has a handle portion and a bifurcated end where the two legs are offset laterally and longitudinally. One leg has an inwardly turned end, directed toward the other leg, forming a shallow channel and the other leg has a sharpened tip and knife like cutting edge.

Abstract: An elongate shaft includes a top wall and bottom wall having a hook at the top wall, with a handle mounted diametrically through the shaft adjacent the bottom wall. A latch including a side wall rod having a head spaced from a side wall is arranged for receiving a looped can opening member to effect a rolling of the pop top to permit its spacing from an opening in a conventional pop top type container.

Abstract: A combination bottle opener and can opener is disclosed. A bottle opening element may be movably connected to a can opening element. The bottle opening element may include a first end having an angled portion and a protrusion that cooperate to define a bottle cap receiving area. The bottle opening element may also include an angled body section. The can opening element may include a cutting blade pivotally connected to a body part. The cutting blade may include a cutting edge, a cut-out portion and a plurality of projections. The body part may include a strengthening rib, a tapered edge and a can rim receiving notch. In an open, extended position the combination opener has length greater than the bottle opening element or can opening element alone. This greater length increases the leverage and decreases the amount of force necessary to open a bottle or can, respectively.

Abstract: A bottle cap and seal remover for removing the bottle cap and seal from a bottle of gas line anti-freeze, enabling the contents of the bottle to be poured into a gas tank. A first embodiment is formed as a hand-held opener which may be mounted on a key-ring so as to be readily available at the filling station. The first embodiment includes a handle and a plurality of lever portions integral with each other so as to provide structure to pry the bottle cap and seal from the top of the bottle. The second embodiment includes a board designed to be placed in filling station lanes so as to be accessible to both filling station customers and personnel, the board having a bottle cap remover, a seal piercer and remover, and a bottle cap and seal receptacle integrally mounted thereon to receive and retain the removed bottle caps and seals. Both the first and second embodiments may selectively have instructions and advertising on at least one surface.

Abstract: A tool for removing the cover from a five gallon plastic or metallic container which tool has a lever portion, a handle portion at one end of the lever portion and an actuating member secured to the other end of the lever portion wherein the actuating member has a portion for removing a plastic cover and another portion for removing a metallic cover.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening lift tab containers. The apparatus comprises a lifting tongue and a side engaging positioner. The lifting tongue is adapted to engage and lift a lift tab on the container and the side engaging positioner is adapted to use the sides of the container to ensure the proper positioning of the container with respect to the lifting tongue. The opening apparatus can comprise a cavity having a drain for draining liquid from the cavity.

Abstract: A one-piece elongated body has a widened handle end portion at one end and a sharpened nose end portion at the other end. A slot extending lengthwise of the body opens generally centrally of the nose end portion. A can of the type having an opening ring attached to a lid separable from the base of the can by manipulation of the opening ring can be opened easily by use of the device by either: (1) inserting the nose of the device through the aperture of the opening ring until the ring engages in a notch adjacent to the nose portion, whereupon the device can be pulled for separating the lid from the can; or (2) sliding the device toward the opening ring such that the ring is fitted in the slot, wedging the ring upward by upward-swinging of the device, followed by turning the device such that the ring is fitted sideways in the slot and rotating the device in a screwing motion for peeling the lid from the can.

Abstract: A ski boot key for operating ski boot pivotal closure latches comprises a rigid elongate member having a first opening at one end for fitting over the end of a ski boot side closure latch and a second, larger opening at the opposite end for fitting over the end of a ski boot rear toggle latch. The appropriate end of the key is placed over a skit boot latch and leverage is applied by grasping the opposite end of the key and urging it in a direction to force the latch towards its closed position. The key can also be used in an opposite direction to release the latches.

Abstract: A tool for unsnapping a snap fastener from and reattaching a snap fastener to a snap fastener base. The tool includes a wedge-shaped unsnapping end and a reattaching end having a recessed area for locating and pressing upon the head of a snap fastener. The unsnapping end includes a U-shaped slot having inclined interior walls. The unsnapping end is coated with a resilient, scratch-preventive plastic coating. The recessed area of the reattaching end is composed of a hard rubber. The tool may be composed of a plastic.