A multi-function convenience device for the ease of toting a water or beverage bottle to promote responsible behavior in the disposal, recycling, or the reuse of a commercially manufactured container of a personal size. By selecting from an array of connectors a bottle having a neck of virtually any shape or size may be easily affixed to a frame, which may then be subsequently affixed to various parts of clothing, or extraneous accoutrements may be affixed to the device itself, allowing the user of the device to enjoy a hands-free and unencumbered toting experience while keeping their hydrating needs close at hand during all types of dynamic end-use conditions, while providing individuals who are afflicted with impaired hand or finger strength, the ability to further utilize the device to assist in removing various types of small caliber twist-off type caps from bottles, or flip-top lids from containers.

A multi-function convenience device for the ease of toting a water or beverage bottle to promote responsible behavior in the disposal, recycling, or the reuse of a commercially manufactured container of a personal size. By selecting from an array of connectors a bottle having a neck of virtually any shape or size may be easily affixed to a frame, which may then be subsequently affixed to various parts of clothing, or extraneous accoutrements may be affixed to the device itself, allowing the user of the device to enjoy a hands-free and unencumbered toting experience while keeping their hydrating needs close at hand during all types of dynamic end-use conditions, while providing individuals who are afflicted with impaired hand or finger strength, the ability to further utilize the device to assist in removing various types of small caliber twist-off type caps from bottles, or flip-top lids from containers.

A system and method for gripping, torqueing and releasing an element so as to cap and/or decap a container, such as those typically utilized to house specimens in laboratory environments. The system is driven by a single bi-directional motor linked to a coupler assembly via a rotating threaded shaft. The coupler assembly is configured to engage with an element, such as a cap or container, via mechanically-biased splines that are actuated without any complex linkages, or operative connection to the motor or other powered components. The system employs an ejector nut and an ejector, both of which are concentrically positioned about the threaded shaft. The ejector nut translates along the shaft as a function of the shaft's rotation, so as to permit the retraction of the ejector when an element is engaged in the coupler assembly or cause the ejector to extend into the coupler assembly to disengage the element. The direction and rotation of the motor is controlled by a system coupled to sensors positioned within the system. Such control system may include one or more processors, component interfaces, and data storage/memory. The sensors may include multiple optical, magnetic or mechanical means for monitoring one or more of the positions of the ejector nut and ejector along the threaded shaft, and/or the rotational position of the coupler assembly.

The invention is an ergonomic cap remover having an open end and an annular sidewall. The annular sidewall comprising a plurality of teeth extending inward and a. The open end opening to a closed cavity surrounded by the annular sidewall and a top. The closed cavity adapted to receive a cap on a bottle. The plurality of teeth adapted to engage the cap. The ergonomic cap remover comprising a means for providing purchase. The means for providing purchase may comprise knurling or tabs on the outside of the annular sidewall.

A device (1, 1) for at least partially unscrewing a lid (30) from a container body (31) has a lid engagement portion (3) and a container body engagement portion (13) each having opposite first (4, 14) and second ends (5, 15). Levers (20, 21) project from these first ends (4,14). An elastically expandable member (22) is connected between the second ends (5, 15) of the lid engagement portion (3) and the container body engagement portion (13). If the lid engagement portion (3) is in contact with the lid (30) and the container body engagement portion (13) is in contact with the container body (31), moving the levers (20, 21) towards each other first causes the lid (30) to be entrained relative to the container body engagement portion (13) and the container body (31) to be entrained relative to the lid engagement portion (3) while the elastically expandable member (22) is stretched.

A device (1, 1) for at least partially unscrewing a lid (30) from a container body (31) has a lid engagement portion (3) and a container body engagement portion (13) each having opposite first (4, 14) and second ends (5, 15). Levers (20, 21) project from these first ends (4,14). An elastically expandable member (22) is connected between the second ends (5, 15) of the lid engagement portion (3) and the container body engagement portion (13). If the lid engagement portion (3) is in contact with the lid (30) and the container body engagement portion (13) is in contact with the container body (31), moving the levers (20, 21) towards each other first causes the lid (30) to be entrained relative to the container body engagement portion (13) and the container body (31) to be entrained relative to the lid engagement portion (3) while the elastically expandable member (22) is stretched.

An apparatus for grasping a jar and aiding in lid opening includes a base element that may be placed on a surface, and a top housing that is rotatably secured to the base element. The top housing includes a raised outer periphery having at least one recess extending at least partially through the raised outer periphery, each recess allowing an increased maximum outward movement of a corresponding movable jaw member compared to a raised outer periphery lacking the recess.

An apparatus for grasping a jar and aiding in lid opening includes a base element that may be placed on a surface, and a top housing that is rotatably secured to the base element. The top housing includes a raised outer periphery having at least one recess extending at least partially through the raised outer periphery, each recess allowing an increased maximum outward movement of a corresponding movable jaw member compared to a raised outer periphery lacking the recess.

A cap attachment-detachment device includes an operation portion that moves in an up-and-down direction, and grips and rotates a cap so as to attach the cap to or attach the cap from a container. The operation portion includes a first grip claw, a second grip claw and the pressing member. The first grip claw and the second grip claw are provided to be opposite to each other and configured to be capable of applying an obliquely upward force inwardly to an upper portion of a side surface of the cap. The pressing member is configured to be capable of coming into contact with an upper surface of the cap.

A system and method for gripping, torqueing and releasing an element so as to cap and/or decap a container, such as those typically utilized to house specimens in laboratory environments. The system is driven by a single bi-directional motor linked to a coupler assembly via a rotating threaded shaft. The coupler assembly is configured to engage with an element, such as a cap or container, via mechanically-biased splines that are actuated without any complex linkages, or operative connection to the motor or other powered components. The system employs an ejector nut and an ejector, both of which are concentrically positioned about the threaded shaft. The ejector nut translates along the shaft as a function of the shaft's rotation, so as to permit the retraction of the ejector when an element is engaged in the coupler assembly or cause the ejector to extend into the coupler assembly to disengage the element. The direction and rotation of the motor is controlled by a system coupled to sensors positioned within the system. Such control system may include one or more processors, component interfaces, and data storage/memory. The sensors may include multiple optical, magnetic or mechanical means for monitoring one or more of the positions of the ejector nut and ejector along the threaded shaft, and/or the rotational position of the coupler assembly.