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.

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.

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.

Embodiments described herein provide an automatic lid opener comprising a base section, a top section, a middle section, at least one motor and a control panel. The base section comprises a base cavity capable of receiving a base portion of a jar, an inflatable grip within the base cavity, and a pump configured to inflate the inflatable grip, the inflatable grip configured to extend in a radially inward direction of the base cavity upon inflation and engage the base portion of the jar to form a grip, when the jar is positioned in the base cavity. The top section comprises a lid gripping mechanism and a lid rotation mechanism. The at least one motor is configured to operate at least one of the pump, the lid gripping mechanism, the rotation mechanism, or the height adjustment mechanism, and the control panel is configured to power the at least one motor. Other embodiments provide a method for opening a lid of a container comprising the steps of positioning a perimeter of the container into a base section, applying a pressure to the perimeter of the container, the pressure applied by a first gripping mechanism located in the base section, and gripping the lid of the container with a second gripping mechanism located in a top section, and rotating the second gripping mechanism.

Embodiments described herein provide an automatic lid opener comprising a base section, a top section, a middle section, at least one motor and a control panel. The base section comprises a base cavity capable of receiving a base portion of a jar, an inflatable grip within the base cavity, and a pump configured to inflate the inflatable grip, the inflatable grip configured to extend in a radially inward direction of the base cavity upon inflation and engage the base portion of the jar to form a grip, when the jar is positioned in the base cavity. The top section comprises a lid gripping mechanism and a lid rotation mechanism. The at least one motor is configured to operate at least one of the pump, the lid gripping mechanism, the rotation mechanism, or the height adjustment mechanism, and the control panel is configured to power the at least one motor. Other embodiments provide a method for opening a lid of a container comprising the steps of positioning a perimeter of the container into a base section, applying a pressure to the perimeter of the container, the pressure applied by a first gripping mechanism located in the base section, and gripping the lid of the container with a second gripping mechanism located in a top section, and rotating the second gripping mechanism.

A method of removing a closure from a container includes engaging three or more pry fingers against a lid and a container of the package in three or more locations spaced circumferentially around the package, and moving the pry fingers against the container and the lid, to pry the lid away from the container. A closure remover includes a frame, an actuator movable with respect to the frame, and a plurality of kinematic links movably carried between the frame and the actuator and including a plurality of articulatable pry fingers.

A method of removing a closure from a container includes engaging three or more pry fingers against a lid and a container of the package in three or more locations spaced circumferentially around the package, and moving the pry fingers against the container and the lid, to pry the lid away from the container. A closure remover includes a frame, an actuator movable with respect to the frame, and a plurality of kinematic links movably carried between the frame and the actuator and including a plurality of articulatable pry fingers.

Embodiments described herein provide an automatic lid opener comprising a base section, a top section, a middle section, at least one motor and a control panel. The base section comprises a base cavity capable of receiving a base portion of a jar, an inflatable grip within the base cavity, and a pump configured to inflate the inflatable grip, the inflatable grip configured to extend in a radially inward direction of the base cavity upon inflation and engage the base portion of the jar to form a grip, when the jar is positioned in the base cavity. The top section comprises a lid gripping mechanism and a lid rotation mechanism. The at least one motor is configured to operate at least one of the pump, the lid gripping mechanism, the rotation mechanism, or the height adjustment mechanism, and the control panel is configured to power the at least one motor.

Embodiments described herein provide an automatic lid opener comprising a base section, a top section, a middle section, at least one motor and a control panel. The base section comprises a base cavity capable of receiving a base portion of a jar, an inflatable grip within the base cavity, and a pump configured to inflate the inflatable grip, the inflatable grip configured to extend in a radially inward direction of the base cavity upon inflation and engage the base portion of the jar to form a grip, when the jar is positioned in the base cavity. The top section comprises a lid gripping mechanism and a lid rotation mechanism. The at least one motor is configured to operate at least one of the pump, the lid gripping mechanism, the rotation mechanism, or the height adjustment mechanism, and the control panel is configured to power the at least one motor.

Embodiments described herein provide an automatic lid opener comprising a base section, a top section, a middle section, at least one motor and a control panel. The base section comprises a base cavity capable of receiving a base portion of a jar, an inflatable grip within the base cavity, and a pump configured to inflate the inflatable grip, the inflatable grip configured to extend in a radially inward direction of the base cavity upon inflation and engage the base portion of the jar to form a grip, when the jar is positioned in the base cavity. The top section comprises a lid gripping mechanism and a lid rotation mechanism. The at least one motor is configured to operate at least one of the pump, the lid gripping mechanism, the rotation mechanism, or the height adjustment mechanism, and the control panel is configured to power the at least one motor.