The present invention relates to a stopper for a bottle designed for commercial bottling of a beverage or liquid food, preferably a wine bottle, and a sealing element for sealing the stopper in the mouth of the bottle, which is separate from the bottle. The stopper comprises a stopper part for introduction into a mouth of the bottle, and a head part for remaining outside the mouth of the bottle, the head part having a diameter that is larger than that of the stopper part, wherein the stopper part comprises a an interlocking mechanism for engaging with a counterpart interlocking mechanism of the sealing element. The sealing element is configured to be forced against an inner wall of the mouth, thereby being brought into a sealed position, upon introducing the stopper part into the mouth, in which sealed position the stopper is held on the bottle. The interlocking mechanisms are configured to permit bringing the sealing element into an unsealed position by an unsealing action which comprises rotating the stopper with respect to the bottle.

The present invention relates to a stopper for a bottle designed for commercial bottling of a beverage or liquid food, preferably a wine bottle, and a sealing element for sealing the stopper in the mouth of the bottle, which is separate from the bottle. The stopper comprises a stopper part for introduction into a mouth of the bottle, and a head part for remaining outside the mouth of the bottle, the head part having a diameter that is larger than that of the stopper part, wherein the stopper part comprises a an interlocking mechanism for engaging with a counterpart interlocking mechanism of the sealing element. The sealing element is configured to be forced against an inner wall of the mouth, thereby being brought into a sealed position, upon introducing the stopper part into the mouth, in which sealed position the stopper is held on the bottle. The interlocking mechanisms are configured to permit bringing the sealing element into an unsealed position by an unsealing action which comprises rotating the stopper with respect to the bottle.

An apparatus for automated capping and de-capping of test tubes having an ejector pin system for individualized cap ejection.

Methods and apparatus for rotating a container delivered to a container manipulation system on a conveyor are described. In some embodiments, first and second carriages are positioned on opposite sides of the conveyor, each carrying respective forward and rear clamp arms. Each clamp arm is selectively independently moveable and carries at least first and second vertically spaced-apart wheels. All of the wheels are engageable with the container on the conveyor. At least two wheels on the first carriage are power-driven and selectively rotatable. The remaining wheels are free-spinning. Additional methods, systems and apparatus are also disclosed.

Methods and apparatus for rotating a container delivered to a container manipulation system on a conveyor are described. In some embodiments, first and second carriages are positioned on opposite sides of the conveyor, each carrying respective forward and rear clamp arms. Each clamp arm is selectively independently moveable and carries at least first and second vertically spaced-apart wheels. All of the wheels are engageable with the container on the conveyor. At least two wheels on the first carriage are power-driven and selectively rotatable. The remaining wheels are free-spinning. Additional methods, systems and apparatus are also disclosed.