A bottle-top adapter is an apparatus that allows a user to retain a bottle cap for repeated use. The apparatus has a grip that extends beyond the width of the bottle cap retaining features, thus allowing enhanced leverage during use. A writable surface connected to the top of the gripping feature allows a user to indicate the owner and contents of the disposable bottle. A user may place or press a bottle cap into the cap-retaining segment of the apparatus to secure the bottle cap in place during use. The user may then grasp the grip, or other exposed features, and twist to open or close the disposable bottle. Upon completion, the user may remove the bottle cap from the cap-retaining segment of the apparatus to prepare the apparatus for subsequent usage upon another disposable bottle cap. Consequently, the apparatus may help in the reuse of disposable bottle caps.

A system and method for a self-actuating, mechanically-biased container restraint. The system requires no computer-aided control or timing, nor is any external power source needed, other than the force exerted as a container is inserted into the restraint. The system relies upon an assembly including mechanically-biased pivoting levers, each of which has a horizontal element and a vertical element. All actuation occurs as the base of an inserted container comes into contact with the upper surface of the horizontal elements of multiple pivoted levers positioned at the base of a channel adapted to serve as a guide for the inserted tube. The levers are biased in this elevated position by mechanical means, such as a spring. As the inserted tube presses the horizontal members downward, the top portions of the vertical members are pivoted inward toward the container's exterior. Friction pads situated upon the interior surface of each vertical element are brought into contact with the exterior of the container, thereby gripping it. This gripping action holds the container with sufficient friction to permit the removal or attachment of a screw cap. Further embodiments of the invention include a mechanically biased platform supporting the channel and the pivoting levers. This base is biased and positioned to permit the channel and the pivoting lever assembly to be translated downward against the force biasing the platform and translate through the body of the container restraint. This further advancement of container, the channel and the lever assembly cause the pivoting levers to assume fully engaged gripping positions, and brings the vertical elements of the levers (and flexible friction pads upon them) into full upright positions. In this position the friction pads apply a maximum static friction force to the exterior of the container.

A handheld assistive container opening device comprises two elongated arms extending from a body at an acute angle, having gripping contours on the interior arm surfaces for gripping a rotatable container cap. The arms may be rotatable though respective limited arcs about respective axes parallel to the container axis, to improve the capability to grip the cap. The device may include a movable top plate positioner, positionable over the interior of the acute angle to align a container cap with the arms, or away from the acute angle to accommodate irregularly shaped caps. The body may further include a concave finger engagement recess for application of torque from the side of a finger without gripping the device. In an exemplary embodiment, the body has the shape of an “X” with arms extending from a pair of adjacent ends at approximately 60 degrees.

A handheld assistive container opening device comprises two elongated arms extending from a body at an acute angle, having gripping contours on the interior arm surfaces for gripping a rotatable container cap. The arms may be rotatable though respective limited arcs about respective axes parallel to the container axis, to improve the capability to grip the cap. The device may include a movable top plate positioner, positionable over the interior of the acute angle to align a container cap with the arms, or away from the acute angle to accommodate irregularly shaped caps. The body may further include a concave finger engagement recess for application of torque from the side of a finger without gripping the device. In an exemplary embodiment, the body has the shape of an “X” with arms extending from a pair of adjacent ends at approximately 60 degrees.

Rotating or pressing one or more handles will rotate one or more cams which push on the lid side. This causes a lever to rotate and forces two opposing jaws to press on the jar. With further rotating or pressing, the cam(s) rotates more and its rough surface or teeth forces the lid to rotate with high torque. Since the cam size is smaller than the lid diameter, much less force is needed to open the lid. And since the jar lid opener grips both the lid and the jar at the same time, there is no need to hold the jar tight while rotating or press the handles.

A rotating lid opener for removing screw lids includes non-slip elements (e.g., non-slip pads) on the underside of the device at locations that will engage with the top surface of the lid, thereby providing additional adhesion or friction when the handle is being rotated to reduce the chance of the device rotating without the jaws locking onto the lid. The non-slip elements can be made of any appropriate non-slip material (e.g., rubber, foam, sponge, cork, fabric, plastic, silicone, elastic, adhesive, etc.) and/or be configured to enhance grip (e.g., patterned, coated, etc.). Among other things, these non-slip elements will facilitate one-hand operation of the device.

A rotating lid opener for removing screw lids includes non-slip elements (e.g., non-slip pads) on the underside of the device at locations that will engage with the top surface of the lid, thereby providing additional adhesion or friction when the handle is being rotated to reduce the chance of the device rotating without the jaws locking onto the lid. The non-slip elements can be made of any appropriate non-slip material (e.g., rubber, foam, sponge, cork, fabric, plastic, silicone, elastic, adhesive, etc.) and/or be configured to enhance grip (e.g., patterned, coated, etc.). Among other things, these non-slip elements will facilitate one-hand operation of the device.

A wrench apparatus is provided. The wrench apparatus includes a handle portion having a first end and a second end located opposite the first end, and a body portion extending from the first end. The body portion has a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion located concentric with respect to the first gripping portion. The first and second gripping portions are each configured to engage a first closure and a second closure, respectively, of a first container and a second container, respectively, in a press fit manner and remove the first and second closures, respectively, therefrom responsive to the handle portion being rotated with respect to the first and second containers, respectively. The first and second gripping portions are each annular-shaped and have an inner diameter. The inner diameter of the second gripping portion is greater than the inner diameter of the first gripping portion.

A wrench apparatus is provided. The wrench apparatus includes a handle portion having a first end and a second end located opposite the first end, and a body portion extending from the first end. The body portion has a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion located concentric with respect to the first gripping portion. The first and second gripping portions are each configured to engage a first closure and a second closure, respectively, of a first container and a second container, respectively, in a press fit manner and remove the first and second closures, respectively, therefrom responsive to the handle portion being rotated with respect to the first and second containers, respectively. The first and second gripping portions are each annular-shaped and have an inner diameter. The inner diameter of the second gripping portion is greater than the inner diameter of the first gripping portion.

A capping and de-capping apparatus for capping and de-capping tubes disposed in a tube holding rack having a two-dimensional array of apertures for holding the tubes. The apparatus comprises a rack support for supporting the tube holding rack, a head unit adapted for carrying a cartridge comprising at least one capping and de-capping gripper, a drive system for moving the rack support and the head unit relatively towards and away from one another, in order to cause engagement or disengagement of the capping and de-capping gripper with or from a cap of at least one tube, and a drive system for rotating the capping and de-capping gripper, wherein rotation in one direction causes attachment of the cap to the tube and rotation in the opposite direction causes detachment of the cap from said tube.