A pod opener includes an elevating mechanism elevating the cassette in a vertical direction, a first hook member engaging with an engagement means of the cassette and supporting the cassette, a second hook member supported by the first hook member, a forward and backward movement mechanism moving the first hook member and the second hook member forward and backward with respect to the cassette, an urging member urging the second hook member upward, and an atmosphere maintaining device maintaining an internal space having the cassette disposed therein in a predetermined atmosphere and the second hook member is displaceable with respect to the first hook member.

A pod opener includes an elevating mechanism elevating the cassette in a vertical direction, a first hook member engaging with an engagement means of the cassette and supporting the cassette, a second hook member supported by the first hook member, a forward and backward movement mechanism moving the first hook member and the second hook member forward and backward with respect to the cassette, an urging member urging the second hook member upward, and an atmosphere maintaining device maintaining an internal space having the cassette disposed therein in a predetermined atmosphere and the second hook member is displaceable with respect to the first hook member.

A pressure equalising device (10) which has a squat shape and which has three positions which are a first unlocked and retracted position, a second locked and retracted position, and a third unlocked and extended position wherein the device comprises a spike (14) for piercing a container, a biasing member (12) to bias the device into the first position from the third position, an upper body (20) which supports the spike and which has a locking formation (28), and a lower body (40); wherein the device has a twist lock such that the device can be rotated to and from its first and second positions; wherein the twist lock comprises a slot (52) in the lower body which is positioned to receive the locking formation (28) to immobilise the upper body (20) in relation to the lower body (40); the invention provides an ergonomically acceptable and safe way to reduce the torque force required to open the typical jar to less that 2 Nm by equalising the pressures inside and outside the jar.

A pressure equalising device (10) which has a squat shape and which has three positions which are a first unlocked and retracted position, a second locked and retracted position, and a third unlocked and extended position wherein the device comprises a spike (14) for piercing a container, a biasing member (12) to bias the device into the first position from the third position, an upper body (20) which supports the spike and which has a locking formation (28), and a lower body (40); wherein the device has a twist lock such that the device can be rotated to and from its first and second positions; wherein the twist lock comprises a slot (52) in the lower body which is positioned to receive the locking formation (28) to immobilise the upper body (20) in relation to the lower body (40); the invention provides an ergonomically acceptable and safe way to reduce the torque force required to open the typical jar to less that 2 Nm by equalising the pressures inside and outside the jar.

An apparatus for vacuum-sealing a lid onto a jar includes a cap skirt joined to a cap. The cap and cap skirt are formed with internal threads for engaging corresponding external threads on the jar. A lid for the jar placed against the lid press will be drawn against the rim of the jar after air is pumped out of the jar through the cap. An airtight seal is established between the lid and the rim of the jar when air at normal atmospheric pressure enters the vacuum port, the pressure difference between the outside and inside of the jar forcing the lid onto the jar rim and sealing the jar. A prying plate positioned on the top of the cap permits removal of the lid without deforming the lid beyond its elastic limit, enabling lids to be removed and re-sealed against the jar.

An apparatus for vacuum-sealing a lid onto a jar includes a cap skirt joined to a cap. The cap and cap skirt are formed with internal threads for engaging corresponding external threads on the jar. A lid for the jar placed against the lid press will be drawn against the rim of the jar after air is pumped out of the jar through the cap. An airtight seal is established between the lid and the rim of the jar when air at normal atmospheric pressure enters the vacuum port, the pressure difference between the outside and inside of the jar forcing the lid onto the jar rim and sealing the jar. A prying plate positioned on the top of the cap permits removal of the lid without deforming the lid beyond its elastic limit, enabling lids to be removed and re-sealed against the jar.

A pressure equalising device (10) which has a squat shape and which has three positions which are a first unlocked and retracted position, a second locked and retracted position, and a third unlocked and extended position wherein the device comprises a spike (14) for piercing a container, a biasing member (12) to bias the device into the first position from the third position, an upper body (20) which supports the spike and which has a locking formation (28), and a lower body (40); wherein the device has a twist lock such that the device can be rotated to and from its first and second positions; wherein the twist lock comprises a slot (52) in the lower body which is positioned to receive the locking formation (28) to immobilise the upper body (20) in relation to the lower body (40); the invention provides an ergonomically acceptable and safe way to reduce the torque force required to open the typical jar to less that 2 Nm by equalising the pressures inside and outside the jar.

A pressure equalising device (10) which has a squat shape and which has three positions which are a first unlocked and retracted position, a second locked and retracted position, and a third unlocked and extended position wherein the device comprises a spike (14) for piercing a container, a biasing member (12) to bias the device into the first position from the third position, an upper body (20) which supports the spike and which has a locking formation (28), and a lower body (40); wherein the device has a twist lock such that the device can be rotated to and from its first and second positions; wherein the twist lock comprises a slot (52) in the lower body which is positioned to receive the locking formation (28) to immobilise the upper body (20) in relation to the lower body (40); the invention provides an ergonomically acceptable and safe way to reduce the torque force required to open the typical jar to less that 2 Nm by equalising the pressures inside and outside the jar.

A cartridge and a base unit for use in an oral care appliance are disclosed. The cartridge includes a connection interface configured to form a detachable connection. The base unit is also configured to engage operatively with the cartridge to facilitate flow of an oral care composition from the cartridge into the oral care appliance.

The present invention provides a lid puncture device having a hemispheric main body, a resilient compressible component, a flexible magnetic disk, and a piercing pin. The hemispheric main body has a domed surface and a flat surface. The flat surface of the main body has a recessed region surrounding a central pillar. The resilient compressible component is housed within and attached to the recessed region of the hemispheric main body. The flexible magnetic disk is attached to the resilient compressible component. The piercing pin is attached to the hemispheric main body and held axially within the central pillar. A process of opening a vacuum-packed jar with the lid puncture device is also provided. The process includes placing the flexible magnetic disk of the lid puncture device onto a lid of the vacuum-packed jar and striking the domed surface.