The package opening device generally comprises a body portion, neck portion, and cutting member. In a preferred embodiment, the body portion comprises an elongated ovular configuration. The body portion comprises an upper surface and a lower surface. The neck portion is narrower than the body portion and extends from the proximal end of the body portion. The cutting member is fixed to the body portion and comprises an elongated configuration and is aligned along a central longitudinal axis of the body portion. The cutting member extends downward from the neck portion and body portion and comprises a cutting edge adapted to penetrate a portion of a package.

A secure specimen sample bottle includes a base container for receiving a specimen. The base container has a plurality of locking protrusions formed along an inner surface of the base receptacle. A bottle includes a lock ring that has an upright spire structure that has a closed top end and the opposing open bottom end including a plurality of flexible fins that are configured to interlockingly mate with the locking protrusions so as to prevent removal of the lock ring relative to the base container upon engagement of the flexible fins to the locking protrusions. A removable cap is coupled to the lock ring.

A package opening system for opening a package in which an outer peripheral edge of a sheet-like lid is bonded to a flange-shaped opening edge of a tub storing a stored object includes: a cutter blade capable of cutting the lid; and a cutter blade moving device configured to stick the cutter blade into the lid and move the cutter blade stuck into the lid in a cutting path along at least part of a contour of an opening of the tub.

The present invention is a water softener brine tank salt bag splitter with a support beam and integral blade positioned below the tank lid by looped vertical mounting brackets that secure over and around the upper edge of the tank sidewall to preserve the air seal between the tank sidewall and lid. The beam and bracket assembly has a fixed length that stiffens the lateral flexibility of the tank sidewall and forms a platform that supports the weight of a salt bag when pouring salt crystals into the tank. The brackets have an anti-rotation sleeve that prevents the blade from rotating relative to the tank walls when the bag drops down onto the blade. The device is formed by two identical plastic beam and blade half portions that join together in linearly locked engagement, and two identical plastic brackets that lockingly secure to the beam ends to set its fixed length.

A product unpacking system includes a work surface at a first height and a product unloading position at a second height. An adjustable cutter is positioned adjacent to the work surface and configured to cut a plurality of sides of each case. A case movement device, such as a robot or manual mover, is configured to retrieve a case from a group of cases and move the case to the cutter to cut a plurality of sides of the case. The case movement device may then move the cut case to an unload position over a product container to allow products within the case to drop into the product container. A system of conveyors may be used to convey empty product containers toward the work surface and to convey filled product containers away from the work surface. The system may be automated to receive recipe information for each case to be unloaded and modify parameters of the system based on the case.

The present invention describes an automated product unpackaging system that manipulates a target container containing product into an unpackaging work cell area, moves the target container into and through a desired path within the work cell in such a way that lasers or other industrial cutters can cut through the original packaging material so that the package's bottom surface is completely separated from the top and sides of the original package, and then moves the top and sides of the original package, with its product still encapsulated inside, slidingly onward toward a next operation. The invention also describes means for extraction and disposal of the top and sides of the original package, along with the separated bottom of the original package.

First scanned images of the first container are received from a scanning device that show the contents of the interior of the first container before the first container is cut and opened. Second scanned images that are of the contents of the first container after the first container is cut and opened are also received. The images are analyzed and, based upon the analysis, selective modifications to the operating parameters of the container opening machine are determined and made.

A system for removing a product-packing film from a product having an axis in a longitudinal direction. The packing film surrounds lateral portions of the product. A first end of the packing film surrounding a first longitudinal end of the product is open. A second end of the packing film surrounding a second end of the product opposite the first end of the product is closed. In the system, a conveyor carries a plurality of products each packed with a packing film in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the products while supporting the products such that the axes of the products are parallel to each other. A suction unit draws the first end of the packing film in an axial direction of each of the products. A clamping unit clamps the first end of the packing film drawn by the suction unit.

A method for unpacking a workpiece, in particular an optical lens or an optical lens blank, from a package, includes an automated cutting open step of a first package side of the package, and an automated sliding of the workpiece out of the package step on the first package side. An unpacking apparatus for unpacking a workpiece from a package, has a feed station for receiving a package in which a workpiece is arranged, a cutting-open station having a first cutting or sawing tool for the automated cutting open of a first package side of the package downstream of the feed station, and a slide-out station downstream of the cutting-open station. A relative movement can be produced between the package and the workpiece in an automated manner so that the workpiece slides out of the package on the first package side.

A method of filling pharmaceutical containers includes: filling a first plurality of containers, the first plurality of containers being supported by a first holder supported on a first step of a first transport and packaging container defining a first step height, the filling includes moving filling needles of a filling device to a filling needle height and dispensing a substance into each of the first plurality of containers; and filling a second plurality of containers, the second plurality of containers being supported by a second holder supported on a second step of a second transport and packaging container defining a second step height equal to the first step height, the filling includes moving the filling needles to the filling needle height and dispensing the substance into each of the second plurality of containers, the second plurality of containers differ from the first plurality of containers in at least one aspect.