Apparatus and process for opening and closing fluid containers
US8865069B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 2012 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 29, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2035/0405
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for the automated opening/closing of one or more fluid containers is presented. Each container comprises an opening and a cap for closing the opening. The cap is pivotable with respect to the container body so as to open or close the container. A mount and a carriage supported by the mount by a translating mechanism bidirectionally translate the carriage with respect to the mount. The carriage comprises a base portion and a pivoting portion supported by the base portion by a pivoting mechanism that bidirectionally pivots the pivoting portion with respect to the base portion. The pivoting portion has a contact member that contacts a projecting portion of the cap of each of the fluid containers while pivoting the pivoting portion so as to open and optionally close the opening. A drive is coupled to the carriage for translating the base portion and pivoting the pivoting portion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.