AU2011101387A4 - Container opening device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (10) for opening a container includes a pair of arms (12, 14) connected to each other by a rotational connector (20) allowing the arms to 5 rotate between an open condition and a closed condition. Securement means (30, 36) are provided for securing the device to an anchor element such as a screw (42) attached to the underside of a table. The device, when so secured, is rotatable about the screw. The arms are adapted to grip, between them, the lid (50) of a container (52) while the container receptacle 10 (54) is gripped by a person and restrained against rotating about its own axis. Thus, as the device is rotated about the screw, the arms cause the lid to rotate relative to the receptacle to loosen or tighten the lid.

Description

1 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (Innovation patent) Invention Title: Container opening device The invention is described in the following statement: 2 CONTAINER OPENING DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to a container opening device for facilitating the opening of a container having a screw-on lid, and to a method of opening such a container using the device. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 10 It is common to experience difficulties when removing screw-on container lids, when the lids are secured tightly to the container receptacles. This problem is exacerbated when the lids are vacuum sealed to the receptacles or are secured by tamper resisting breakable tags or strips connected between the 15 lids and receptacles. Known devices for assisting with the removal of such lids include devices for increasing the friction applied to the lids, or for providing leverage for unscrewing of the lids. However such a device typically requires the lid and 20 receptacle to be gripped and rotated relative to each other, or, at least, for the receptacle to be gripped and rotated relative to the lid where the lid is restrained by the device. Many people experience difficulties applying sufficient rotating force to the lid 25 or receptacle when using these devices, and suitably supporting the devices themselves. It is an object of the invention to overcome or ameliorate disadvantages of the prior art or to provide a useful alternative. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 30 According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an opening device for facilitating the opening of a container having a receptacle and a lid screwingly engaged with the receptacle, the device including: 3 a pair of arms connected to each other by a rotational connector at a pivot point proximate one end of the device, the connector being adapted to enable the arms to rotate relative to each other about an arm rotational axis, between an open condition in which the arms diverge from each other in a 5 direction away from the pivot point, from one end of each arm to the other, opposite end thereof, and hence from one end of the device to the other, opposite end thereof, with a first angle between the arms, and a closed condition in which there is a smaller angle between the arms; and securement means for securing the device at an anchor position to an 10 anchor element when the device is in the open condition, wherein the device, when secured to the anchor element, is rotatable about a device axis of rotation which is parallel to said arm axis of rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the arms extend substantially parallel to each 15 other when the device is in the closed condition. In a preferred embodiment, the securement means is adapted for securing the device to an anchor element which is preferably elongate. In this case, preferably, the anchor element has a longitudinal axis which corresponds to 20 the device axis of rotation. Then, preferably, the device axis of rotation is laterally spaced from said arm axis of rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the securement means includes a formation on at least one of the arms for accommodating a said anchor element. 25 Then, preferably, one of the arms includes a said formation defining part of an aperture, and the other arm, when the device is in the open condition, defines a remainder of the aperture, the device being adapted, when in the open condition, to hold a said anchor element captive in said aperture. 30 Preferably, said other arm includes a said formation, the formations of the two arms being adapted, when the device is in the open condition, to form said aperture.

4 Preferably, the formation of one of the arms defines a partial circle and the formation of the other arm defines a partial circle and preferably a slot opening into that partial circle and extending to, and opening out through, a free edge of that arm spaced from the partial circle, wherein, when the device is in the 5 open condition, the partial circles together substantially define the aperture such that the aperture is substantially circular. In a preferred embodiment, the securement means is adapted for securing the device to an elongate anchor element having a longitudinal axis substantially 10 corresponding to the device axis of rotation, wherein each arm defines a respective formation opening through a free edge of that arm, the formations being adapted such that, when the device is in the closed condition, the device can be moved in relation to the anchor element such that the anchor element is received in at least one of the formations, and, when the device is 15 moved to the open condition with the anchor element accommodated in the at least one formation, the formations move with respect to each other so as together to form an aperture thorough which the anchor element extends so as to be held captive within the aperture, and such that the device is rotatable relative to the anchor element about its longitudinal axis. 20 In a preferred embodiment, the device has a said formation adjacent each end of each arm, and accommodation means for selectively accommodating the rotational connector proximate each end of the device, wherein the rotational connector, when accommodated by said accommodation means proximate 25 one end of the device is detachable from the device and re-attachable so as to be accommodated by said accommodation means proximate the opposite end of the device wherein, when the device is in the open condition with the rotational connector being proximate said one end of the device, the arms diverge from each other 30 in a direction from their said one ends to their said other ends, and when the device is in the open condition with the rotational connector being proximate said other end of the device, the arms diverge from each other in a direction from their said other ends to their said one ends.

5 In a preferred embodiment, the device has a said formation adjacent each end of each arm, and accommodation means for accommodating the rotational connector, wherein the accommodation means includes a respective slot extending along each arm, the slots of the arms being substantially aligned 5 with each other when the device is in the closed condition, whereby the rotational connector can be slid along the slots between a first position proximate said one end of the device in which, when the device is in the open condition the arms diverge from each other in a direction from their said one ends to their said other ends, and 10 a second position proximate said other end of the device in which, when the device is in the open condition the arms diverge from each other in a direction from their said other ends to their said one ends. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of facilitating the opening or closing of a container having a receptacle and a lid, 15 wherein the lid is screwingly engaged with the receptacle so as to be rotatable relative thereto about a container axis, the method including, with an opening device according a first aspect of the invention or preferred embodiments thereof: moving the arms into the open condition of the device; 20 securing the device to a said anchor element; wedging the lid between the arms such that the lid is gripped by the arms; and urging the container in a rotational direction about the device axis while restraining the receptacle against rotation about the container axis such that 25 the rotation of the device about the device axis causes relative rotational motion between the lid and receptacle thereby causing the lid to be at least partially unscrewed from or tightened onto, the receptacle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 30 Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 6 Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention in a closed condition; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the device of Figure 1 in an open 5 condition; Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the device as shown in Figure 2; 10 Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the device in use; Figure 6 is a schematic plan view similar to that of Figure 4 but with the arms of the device in a less open condition; 15 Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of detail of an upper arm of the device according to a different embodiment of the invention to that shown in Figure 1; and 20 Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of the device similar to that of Figure 4 but according to a different embodiment in which the device includes formations, as shown on the left hand side in Figure 4, at each end of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 25 Referring to the drawings, there is shown a device 10 which includes a first arm 12 and a second arm 14, each arm having a first end 16 and a second end 18. 30 The arms 12, 14 are connected to each other by a rotational connection 20. The connection 20 is adapted to enable the arms 12, 14 to rotate relative to each other about an arm rotational axis 22.

7 In a preferred embodiment, the rotational connection 20 includes a rivet, although any other suitable form of rotational connection may be used instead, such as a bolt. 5 Each arm 12, 14 has a planar horizontal wall 24 and a planar upwardly extending wall 26. The horizontal and upwardly extending walls 24 and 26, respectively, of each arm 12, 14 are arranged, relative to each other, substantially in an L-shape when viewed in cross-section. According to a preferred embodiment, the planes of the walls 24, 26 of each arm 12, 14 10 extend at an angle which, while acute, is close to a right angle. According to the preferred embodiment, the angle is substantially 70 degrees. It will be noted that the horizontal wall 24 of one of the arms (the arm designated 14) is below the horizontal wall of the other arm 12. Accordingly, 15 the arm 14 having the lower wall is referred to below as the lower arm and the other arm 12 as the upper arm. The horizontal wall 24 of each arm 12, 14, adjacent to the first end 16, is chamfered to form a straight edge 28 which is preferably angled at 30 degrees 20 to the longitudinal direction in which the arm extends. Figure 7 shows detail of a preferred embodiment of the upper arm 12 different to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 . 25 Similarly, each upwardly extending wall 26 is chamfered to form a straight edge 29 which is also preferably angled at 30 degrees to the longitudinal direction in which the arm extends. Extending from the edge 28 of the upper arm 12 is a formation 30 which 30 includes a first formation portion 32 defining part of a circle and a second formation portion 34 in the form of a slot.

8 The slot 34 opens into the part-circular formation 32 and through the edge 28 of the upper arm 12. In the edge 28 of the lower arm 14 there is a formation 36 which defines part 5 of a circle. On the inner surface of the upwardly extending wall 26 of the upper arm 12 is a resilient liner 38, of a suitable elastomeric material such as spongy rubber material. 10 The arms 12, 14 are rotatable relative to each other about the arm axis 22, between a closed condition as shown in Figure 1, and an open condition as shown in Figure 2. The chamfered edges 29 enable the arms to be rotated relative to each other in this way; in the absence of the chamfers, the lower 15 corners of the upwardly extending walls 26 would interfere with each other. In the closed condition, the arms 12, 14 extend substantially parallel to each other, while in the open condition, the arms diverge from each other in a direction away from the rotational connection 20 (i.e. from the ends 16) 20 towards the second ends 18 of the arms. In the open condition, the first end 16 of the lower arm 14 abuts the inner surface of the upwardly extending wall 26 of the upper arm 12. This prevents the arms 12, 14 from moving further into the open condition relative to each 25 other. Due to the 70-degree angle between the walls 24, 26 of each of the arms 12, 14, the horizontal wall 24 of the lower arm 14 abuts the upwardly extending wall 26 of the upper arm 12 when the arms are moved to the open condition 30 sooner than it would have, had the walls of each arm been at a greater angle relative to each other, such as a right angle. According to the preferred embodiment, this limits the extent to which the arms 12, 14 can be rotated relative to each other about the arm axis 22 to substantially 30 degrees. In 9 addition, the horizontal wall 24 of the lower arm 14 becomes wedged in the corner between the two walls of the upper arm 12, and this assists in reducing the likelihood of distortion or slipping or twisting of one arm relative to the other. 5 It will be noted that when the device 10 is in the open condition as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the part-circle formation 30 of the upper arm 12 and the part circle formation 36 of the lower arm 14 together define a substantially circular aperture 40. 10 In use, the device 10 is positioned such that an elongate anchoring element 42 is passed through the slot formation 34, into the part-circle formation 32 of the upper arm 12. In the preferred embodiment, the anchoring element 42 is in the form of a screw, such as a rose head wood screw, secured to, and 15 extending downwards from, the underside of a base surface 44 such as a kitchen cabinet or shelf of a kitchen cupboard (see Figure 5). Preferably the screw 42 is at a suitable height such as shoulder height. Accordingly, the anchoring element 42 is referred to below as a screw. 20 According to the preferred embodiment of Figure 7, the device 10 can be engaged with the screw 42 when the device is in its closed condition. Once the screw 42 is located in the part-circle formation 32, the arms 12, 14 are moved from the closed condition to the open condition. This causes the 25 part-circle formation 36 of the lower arm 14 to move such that the part-circle formations 32, 36 of the two arms 12, 14 together form the circular aperture 40, thereby holding the screw 42 captive therein. The size of the aperture 40 is such that the shaft 46 of the screw 42 can be 30 accommodated in the aperture while the head 48 of the screw is too large to pass through it.

10 The device 10 can be left in place in its open condition ready for use, or can be removed by closing the arms 12, 14 and withdrawing it from the screw 42. The device 10 can be used to assist in the removal of a lid 50 of a container 5 52, where the lid is attached to a receptacle 54 of the container by a screw thread. The container 52, lid 50 and receptacle 54 are shown in phantom lines in Figures 4, 5 and 6. With the "open" end of the device 10 facing the operator, the container 52 is positioned with the lid 50 wedged between the arms 12, 14. In this position, the lid 50 is in firm engagement with the walls 24, 10 26 of the arms. This engagement, as far as the upper arm 12 is concerned, is facilitated by the liner 38 of the upper arm. In addition, the angle between the respective walls 24, 26 of the arms assists in forcing the lid upwards into firmer engagement with the device 10, so that the container 52 is less likely to slip downwardly from the device. 15 The container receptacle 54 can then be gripped by hand and pushed such that the device 10 is rotated, as indicated by the arrow 58 in Figure 4, in a counter-anticlockwise direction about the longitudinal axis of the screw 42, referred to as a device axis 56,. As a result of the firm engagement of the lid 20 50 with the arms 12, 14, the frictional forces between the arms and the lid prevent the lid from rotating relative to the arms, and therefore the lid is caused to rotate in unison with the arms about the device axis 56. It will be appreciated that if the receptacle 54 is restrained from rotating about 25 its own axis 60 (see Figure 5), the lid 50 is caused, by the arms 12, 14, to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the receptacle 54, thereby at least partially unscrewing the lid from the receptacle. The rotational forces caused by this action on the lid 50 relative to the receptacle 54 are as indicated by the arrows 58.1 and 58.2, as shown in Figure 4. 30 One of the advantages of the liner 38 is that, at least in the preferred embodiment, it assists in increasing frictional engagement with the lid 50. Indeed, in such an embodiment, the frictional engagement between the liner 11 38 and lid 50 is greater than that between the upwardly extending wall 26 of the lower arm 14 and the lid. Thus, as the container 54 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 58, there may be a certain amount of slippage between the lower arm 14 and the lid 50, while such slippage between the 5 liner 38 (and hence the upper arm 12) and the lid is prevented due to that greater frictional engagement. If the receptacle 54 is constrained against moving about its own axis 60 as described above, such slippage will cause the portion 50.1 of the lid 50 which is in engagement with the lower arm 14 to slide, relative to that arm, in the direction indicated by the arrow 58.3 as 10 shown in Figure 4. This, in turn, causes the lid 50 to become more tightly wedged in the angle between the arms 12, 14, and this in turn, facilitates the frictional engagement between the arms and the lid. As a result, the point of engagement between the lid 50 and the liner 38 acts 15 as a fulcrum about which the container rotates relative to the upper arm 12. As a result of the distance between the device axis 56 and the positions 62 where the arms 12, 14 grip the lid 50, as the container 54 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 58, the arms serve as a lever on the lid. This 20 facilitates loosening of the lid 50 even when it is firmly tightened on the receptacle 54. The device 10 can thus be used to assist in the removing of a container lid. A significant advantage of the device 10 is that, when it is in position, secured 25 to the screw 42, it can be used by gripping only the container 52. Unlike other devices, there is no need for the user to hold the container 52 with one hand while rotating the device 10 with the other hand. Indeed, the user can use both hands to grip and push the container 52. 30 In addition, the pushing action that is required is far easier for many people to achieve than a rotating or twisting action as required by the prior art.

12 While the above mode of operation is advantageous for the reasons mentioned, it will be appreciated that the device 10 can also be used as a lever when not secured to the screw 42. In this case, the user can use one hand to grip the receptacle 54 and the other hand to rotate the device 10 5 relative to the receptacle so that the device causes the lid 50 to rotate, and thereby to be at least partly unscrewed, from the receptacle. If the device 10 is used for assisting with the removal of a container lid 50 having a relatively small diameter, then the lid, when wedged between the 10 arms 12, 14, will be closer to the connection 20, and hence to the arm axis 22, than would be the case if the lid had a larger diameter. As a result of this closer positioning to the arm axis 22, the amount of leverage applied by the device to the lid 50, and thus the amount of assistance provided by the device in removing the lid, is reduced. To compensate for this, a tourniquet 64 can be 15 used to limit the extent to which the arms 12, 14 diverge from each other when in the open condition, as shown in Figure 6. In this configuration, as the arms 12, 14 diverge from each other to a smaller extent, a lid 50 having a small diameter becomes wedged between the arms a greater distance from the arm axis 22 than would have been the case had the arms diverged more 20 widely. For example, with the arms 12, 14 extending at an angle of 30 degrees to each other, a lid 50 having a diameter of 30 mm may become wedged between the arms at a distance of about 25 mm from the arm axis 22. The 25 tourniquet 64 can restrain the arms 12, 14 to extend relative to each other at an angle of say 10 degrees so that the 30 mm lid 50 becomes wedged between the arms at a distance of about 120 mm from the arm axis 22. The tourniquet 64 can be slid along the arms 12, 14 to be positioned at a range of suitable positions, for example allowing for angles between the arms of from 30 10 degrees to close to 30 degrees. Thus, the tourniquet 64 can be used to assist in rendering the device 10 useful even for smaller-diameter container lids 50.

13 According to one preferred embodiment, the arms 12, 14 are formed of plate of suitable metal such as aluminium, stainless steel, or brass, which may have a thickness of around 1.4 mm. Further according to this preferred embodiment, other dimensions of the device are approximately as follows. 5 The arms 12, 14 are 180 mm in length, the horizontally extending walls 24 are 20 mm in width, and the upwardly extending walls 26 are 12 mm in width. The edges 28 extend at about 30 degrees to the longitudinal directions of the arms 12,14, as do the edges 29. 10 The rotational connection 20 is formed by a rivet or bolt extending through holes in the horizontally extending walls 24 of the arms 12, 14, with the diameter of the holes being for example 3.2 mm if a blind rivet is used, otherwise of a smaller dimension such as 2 to 3 mm. The hole in the horizontally extending wall 24 of the upper arm 12 is located substantially 15 centrally relative to that wall, about 40 mm from the edge 28. The part-circle formation 32 of the upper arm 12 has a diameter of 4 mm, and is formed about 20 mm from the first end 16 of the upper arm 12 and 6 mm from the edge 28 of that arm. The slot formation 34 is about 3.2 mm wide. The 20 part-circle formation 36 of the lower arm 14 has a diameter of 5 mm, and is formed about 20 mm from the first end 16 of the lower arm 14. The shaft 46 of the screw 42 is 3.2 mm in diameter. 25 The liner 38 is about 150 mm long, 10 mm wide and 3 mm thick. In a preferred form of the embodiment of Figure 7, the reference A designates a dimension of 12 mm while the reference B designates a dimension of 8 mm. 30 According to another preferred embodiment, where the device 10 is intended for use on typical kitchen containers, an arm length of around 160 mm is typically considered suitable. However, where the device 10 is for use with certain smaller containers, in particular containers for cosmetics (such as nail 14 varnish), or vitamins, soft drinks, milk and alcohol, an arm length of around 100 mm is typically considered suitable. While specific dimensions have been mentioned above, it will be appreciated 5 that any suitable dimensions could be used as would be understood by those skilled in the art. With reference to Figure 8, there is shown another embodiment of the device 10, this embodiment being designated 10.1. Features of the device 10.1 10 corresponding to features in the device 10 are designated by similar reference numerals as those of the device 10. The device 10.1 is essentially the same as the device 10, except that it has features at its end 18 similar to those at its end 16, and a slot arrangement. 15 The features at the end 18 of the device 10.1 are designated by similar reference numerals to the corresponding features at the end 16, but with the addition of the suffix ".1". 20 The slot arrangement includes a slot 70 in the horizontal wall 24 of the upper arm 12, and a similar slot 72 in the horizontal wall 24 of the lower arm 14. The rotational connection 20 passes through the slots 70, 72. When the arms 12, 14 are in their closed condition, the slots 70, 72 are 25 essentially aligned with each other. When in this condition, the arms 12, 14 can be slid relative to the rotational connection 20, such that the rotational connection moves along the aligned slots from one end 70.1, 72.1 thereof to the opposite ends 70.2, 72.2 thereof. Thereafter, the device 10.1 can be rotated through 360 degrees relative to the rotational connection 20. In this 30 manner, the horizontal orientation of the device 10.1 can in effect be reversed, such that the positions of the ends 16 and 18 of the device are swapped around. Thus, when the device 10.1 is used on a container 52, the liner 38 will 15 be positioned to engage the opposite side of the lid 50 to that engaged by the liner in the embodiment described in Figure 4. As mentioned above, the added frictional engagement with the lid 50 provided 5 by the liner 38 effectively causes the lid to be more firmly wedged between in the angle between the arms 12 and 14 due to slippage between the lid and the lower arm as the container 52 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 58 when loosening the lid. With the arms 12, 14 rotated through 360 degrees as described above, the device 10.1 can be used to similar effect by 10 moving the container 52 in a direction 58.4 opposite to the direction 58. In particular, with the liner 38 being effectively on the opposite arm relative to that shown in Figure 4, the 50 lid will now become more firmly wedged in the angle between the arms 12, 14 as the container is moved in the direction 58.1, which is a direction for tightening, rather than loosening, the lid on the 15 receptacle 54. In other words, the device 10.1 may be used as an effective means to facilitate tightening of the lid 50 in situations where this is required. In this embodiment, the rotational connection 20 is preferably a screw such as the screw 42, while in another embodiment the rotational connection is in the 20 form of an interscrew or "Chicago" screw, which will allow the arms 12, 14 to be disassembled from each other. As a result of the ability provided by such a connection 20 to disassemble the arms 12, 14, the connection can simply be removed and repositioned at the opposite ends of the arms rather than sliding it along the slots 70, 72. 25 Although the invention is described above in relation to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (5)

1. An opening device for facilitating the opening of a container having a receptacle and a lid screwingly engaged with the receptacle, the device 5 including: a pair of arms connected to each other by a rotational connector at a pivot point proximate one end of the device, the connector being adapted to enable the arms to rotate relative to each other about an arm rotational axis, between an open condition in which the arms diverge from each other in a 10 direction away from the pivot point, from one end of each arm to the other, opposite end thereof, and hence from one end of the device to the other, opposite end thereof, with a first angle between the arms, and a closed condition in which there is a smaller angle between the arms; and securement means for securing the device at an anchor position to an 15 anchor element when the device is in the open condition, wherein the device, when secured to the anchor element, is rotatable about a device axis of rotation which is parallel to said arm axis of rotation.

2. An opening device according to claim 1 wherein the securement 20 means is adapted for securing the device to an elongate anchor element having a longitudinal axis substantially corresponding to the device axis of rotation, wherein each arm defines a respective formation opening through a free edge of that arm, the formations being adapted such that, when the device is in the closed condition, the device can be moved in relation to the 25 anchor element such that the anchor element is received in at least one of the formations, and, when the device is moved to the open condition with the anchor element accommodated in the at least one formation, the formations move with respect to each other so as together to form an aperture thorough which the anchor element extends so as to be held captive within the 30 aperture, and such that the device is rotatable relative to the anchor element about its longitudinal axis. 17

3. An opening device according to claim 2, the device having a said formation adjacent each end of each arm, and accommodation means for selectively accommodating the rotational connector proximate each end of the device, wherein the rotational connector, when accommodated by said 5 accommodation means proximate one end of the device is detachable from the device and re-attachable so as to be accommodated by said accommodation means proximate the opposite end of the device wherein, when the device is in the open condition with the rotational connector being proximate said one end of the device, the arms diverge from each 10 other in a direction from their said one ends to their said other ends, and when the device is in the open condition with the rotational connector being proximate said other end of the device, the arms diverge from each other in a direction from their said other ends to their said one ends. 15

4. An opening device according to claim 2, the device having a said formation adjacent each end of each arm, and accommodation means for accommodating the rotational connector, wherein the accommodation means includes a respective slot extending along each arm, the slots of the arms being substantially aligned with each other when the device is in the 20 closed condition, whereby the rotational connector can be slid along the slots between a first position proximate said one end of the device in which, when the device is in the open condition the arms diverge from each other in a direction from their said one ends to their said other ends, and 25 a second position proximate said other end of the device in which, when the device is in the open condition the arms diverge from each other in a direction from their said other ends to their said one ends.

5. A method of facilitating the opening or closing of a container having a 30 receptacle and a lid, wherein the lid is screwingly engaged with the receptacle so as to be rotatable relative thereto about a container axis, the method including, with an opening device according any one of claims 1 to 4: moving the arms into the open condition of the device; 18 securing the device to a said anchor element; wedging the lid between the arms such that the lid is gripped by the arms; and urging the container in a rotational direction about the device axis 5 while restraining the receptacle against rotation about the container axis such that the rotation of the device about the device axis causes relative rotational motion between the lid and receptacle thereby causing the lid to be at least partially unscrewed from, or tightened onto, the receptacle.