GB2227968A

GB2227968A - Device for gripping container whilst closure is removed

Info

Publication number: GB2227968A
Application number: GB9003229A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Francis Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-02-14
Filing date: 1990-02-13
Publication date: 1990-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 2010-02-13
Also published as: GB8903343D0; GB2227968B; GB9003229D0

Abstract

A device for holding a container while the screw top or cap is removed comprises two relatively rotatable plates securable to a work surface e.g. by suction pads 10. Three rotatable posts are slidably-mounted in and protrude from spiral slots in the upper plate and radial slots in the lower plate. On rotation of the upper plate by means of a suitable handle the posts move inwards to hold the container. Unscrewing forces applied to the container top cause the posts to rotate slightly which effectively increases their grip on the container due to reaction with the slots. Rubber sleeves on the posts increase their gripping potential. <IMAGE>

Description

CONTAINER HOLDING DEVICE This invention relates to a container holding device and particularly to a device for holding a container such as a bottle or jar having a screw top or cap during the removal thereof.

Many known devices for the removal of screw tops or caps require that the container be held in the hand while the top or cap is removed. However this can be difficult especially for an elderly or disabled person.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which alleviates this difficulty.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a device for holding a container having a screw top or cap while the top or cap is unscrewed comprising two parallel plates located alongside each other with a face of one plate adjacent a face of the other plate and a plurality of gripping members each in the form of a post arranged to be freely rotatable about its longitudinal axis, at least one of the twg plates being mounted to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the planes of the two plates, the first plate being formed with a plurality of slideways extending radially with respect to the axis, each slideway slideably retaining one of said posts, the second plate being formed with a plurality of curved slots through each of which one of said posts extends from the slideway in which it is retained to protrude beyond the further side of the second plate, the longitudinal axis of each post being parallel to the rotational axis of the plates, each curved slot spiralling outwards from a position close to the rotational axis of the plates whereby on rotation of the second plate relative to the first in one direction each post is forced by its interaction with a side of the curved slot through which it extends to move radially inwards along the slideway in which it is retained into contact with the container while the container top or cap is unscrewed, and on rotation of the second plate in the opposite direction each post moves radially outwards along the slideway to release the container.

Preferably the first plate is provided with securing means, for example a high friction pad or a vacuum cup, to secure the device to a working surface.

Preferably also the second plate is provided with a handle extending generally radially outwards from the axis of rotation of the plates and by means of which handle the second plate may be rotated with respect to the first plate.

Each post may be provided with a covering of high friction material to aid the holding of the container.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 shows an underneath plan view of the lower plate of the device; Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the upper plate of the device; Figure 3 shows a cross-section along the line I-I in Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the device holding a container.

As shown in the drawings the device for holding a container such as a jar with a screw top comprises a first, lower circular plate 1, and a second, upper circular plate 2 having a handle 3 extending outwards from the edge thereof.

As can be seen particularly in Figure 1 the lower plate 1 is provided with three equi-spaced radially extending slots 4, 5 and 6. Each slot extends for only a short distance towards the plate centre from a position radially inwards of the plate periphery 9. A hole 7 is formed at the centre of the plate and has a countersunk portion 8 of wider diameter at the underside. Three equi-spaced rubber suction pads 10 (only one shown) are provided on the lower side of the lower plate.

The upper plate 2 has the same diameter as the lower plate 1 and is provided with an integrally formed handle 3 extending radially outwards from its periphery.

It is also provided with three equally-spaced semicircular slots 11, 12, 13 which are arranged to spiral inwards from a location near the periphery towards the plate centre. The centre of the plate is formed with a hole 14 having a countersunk portion 15 of wider diameter on the upper side. The upper and lower plates are joined together by a central pivot 16 having upper and lower flanges 23, 24 and passing through the holes 7 and 14 which retains the plates in position one above the other but allows the upper plate to be rotated relative to the lower, the flanges fitting loosely into the countersunk portions 8, 15. The lower flange 24 is held in position by a screw 25. Alternatively, one of the plates may be provided with a centrally disposed spigot which extends through the central hole in the other plate.The spigot may be provided with a flange similar to flange 24 to hold said other plate in position, but allowing rotation.

Three vertical cylindrical posts 17, 18, 19 are provided and arranged so that each one is retained in one of the radial slots in the lower plate and protrude upwardly to pass through one of the three semi-circular slots on the upper plate. Thus there is a single post in each of the three slots in both the upper and lower plates. The posts are thus arranged with their vertical, longitudinal axes parallel to the central rotational axis of the two plates. Each post is capable of sliding along the slots in which it is located.

Each post is provided with two flanges 20, 21 each having a diameter wider than the width of each slot in the plates. The first flange 20 is provided at the base of the post and is positioned in sliding engagement with the under side of the lower plate.

The second flange 21 is provided part-way along the length of the post and is positioned in sliding arrangement with the top surface of the upper plate.

The lower flange is retained in position at the lower end of its respective post by a screw 23 but may be removed by loosening the screw so as to allow the post to be removed from the device. On the upper part of each post, above the second flange, is located a tightfitting rubber sleeve 17a, 18a, 19a. This upper part, which projects upwards from the top surface of the device, is of sufficient height to make contact with the outside of a container C placed on the device.

In use the device is placed on a working surface e.g. a table top. The suction pads 10 are pressed down so as to prevent any sliding movement of the device. The container C e.g. a jar is placed on the top surface of the device generally between the three posts 17, 18 and 19. The operator holds the container top in one hand and rotates the handle 3 in a clockwise direction about the rotational axis of the plates with the other hand. This causes the posts to move radially inwards and bring the rubber sleeves 17a, 18a, 19a into holding contact with the side(s) of the container.

The operator then rotates the top of the container in an anti-clockwise direction while still holding the handle. The anti-clockwise rotation of the container resulting from the effort to unscrew the container top causes the posts, when in contact with the container to rotate a small amount. This rotation of the posts increases the grip on the container by reacting with the sides of the slots.

It is found that a device according to the invention provides for the easy removal of a screw top or cap from a container since it effectively amplifies the gripping force applied by hand to the top or cap.

The device may be provided with alternate means to clamp it to a working surface instead of suction cups e.g. friction pads. Additionally, more than three slots each having a respective post may be provided in each plate.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device for holding a container having a screw top or cap while the top or cap is unscrewed comprising two parallel plates located alongside each other with a face of one plate adjacent a face of the other plate and a plurality of gripping members, each in the form of a post arranged to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis, at least one of the two plates being mounted to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the planes of the two plates, the first plate being formed with a plurality of slideways extending radially with respect to the axis, each slideway slideably retaining one of said posts, the second plate being formed with a plurality of curved slots through each of which one of said posts extends from the slideway in which it is retained to protrude beyond the further side of the second plate, the longitudinal axis of each post being parallel to the rotational axis of the plates, each curved slot spiralling outwards from a position close to the rotational axis of the plates whereby on rotation of the second plate relative to the first in one direction each post is forced by its interaction with a side of the curved slot through which it extends to move radially inwards along the slideway in which it is retained into contact with the container while the container top or cap is unscrewed, and on rotation of the second plate in the opposite direction each post moves radially outwards along the slideway to release the container.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the first plate is provided with securing means to secure the device to a working surface.

3. A device according to Claim 2 wherein the securing means comprises at least one high friction pad or vacuum cup.

4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second plate is provided with a handle by means of which the second plate may be rotated with respect to the first plate.

5. A device according to Claim 4 wherein the handle is integrally formed with and extends radially outwards from the periphery of the second plate.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each post is provided with a covering of high frictional material to aid the holding of the container.

7. A device for holding a container having a screw top or cap while the top or cap is unscrewed substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.