Opening and closing a container

Details Opening and closing a container Opening and closing a container

2005-03-30

2009-08-04

Gakh, Yelena G (Department: 1797)

Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser

Control element responsive to a sensed operating condition

C422S105000, C422S105000, C422S063000, C422S064000, C422S065000, C436S043000, C436S047000, C436S049000, C436S130000, C215S236000, C220S810000, C220S811000, C220S812000, C081S003200, C081S003310, C081S003330, C081S003090

Reexamination Certificate

active

07569189

ABSTRACT:
An apparatus for opening and closing a container having a slidable shutter closure moving past the apparatus includes: a rotatable shaft having an axis perpendicular to the direction of travel of the slidable shutter, the shaft being biased against rotation in either direction; a driver for bidirectionally moving the shaft from a position away from the container to a position in the vicinity of the container for opening and closing; and an extension extending outwardly from the rotatable shaft along at least a portion of the shaft into a line of travel, whereby the extension is adapted to engage the shutter closure of the container and move the shutter closure from an open position to a closed position or from a closed position to an open position. A reagent source for an automated analyzer includes: a reagent source which includes a container having a shutter closure which slides between an open and closed position; an apparatus for opening and closing the container. The apparatus includes: a rotatable shaft having an axis perpendicular to the direction of travel of the slidable shutter, the shaft being biased against rotation in either direction; a driver for bidirectionally moving the shaft from a position away from the container to a position in the vicinity of the container for opening and closing; and an extension extending outwardly from the rotatable shaft along at least a portion of the shaft, whereby the extension is located to engage the shutter closure of the container as the container is transported past the extension; and a bidirectional conveyor for transporting the container into engagement with and past the apparatus for opening and closing.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4762029 (1988-08-01), Chen
patent: 5167172 (1992-12-01), Heebner
patent: 5578494 (1996-11-01), Clark et al.
patent: 5582222 (1996-12-01), Riall
patent: 6866820 (2005-03-01), Otto et al.
patent: 2305990 (2000-10-01), None
patent: 0703457 (1996-03-01), None
patent: 0734963 (1996-10-01), None
patent: 1498183 (2005-01-01), None
European Search Report, dated Jun. 28, 2006, for European Appln. No. EP 06251718.
MicroPatent Search Search Scope: US Granted US Applications EP-A EP-B WO JP (bibliographic data only) DE-C,B DE-A GB-A; Full patent spec. Years 1971-2004 Text: (“bottle seal” or “bottle closure”) and rotation and opener.
U.S. Appl. No. 09/482,599, filed Jan. 13, 2000, Bower.
“Service Manual for theVitrosECi Immunodiagnostic System—Reagent Supply”, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Publication No. SM3354-6, Apr. 5, 2001, pp. 1-84.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Opening and closing a container does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Opening and closing a container, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Opening and closing a container will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-4130467