Patent ID: 9364938
Filing Date: 2016-06-14
CPC Classification: B21D,B25B

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus for holding a container or cup-shaped article, the article having a stand, an inclined surface disposed radially outwardly in relation to the stand, a sidewall, and a rim, the apparatus comprising: a holder including a seating face configured to contact the stand of the article, and one or more channels for supplying, removing or balancing air pressure such that when suction is applied to the article, the stand is held against the seating face; and a concentric outer sleeve having a guide profile for guiding the article into the holder, the guide profile configured to provide additional contact with the article radially outside the seating face, the guide profile that is configured to contact the inclined surface of the article, to provide the additional radial contact, and to resist lateral movement of the article whilst maintaining concentricity, the outer sleeve being axially moveable from an extended position in which the outer sleeve contacts an outer profile of the article and holds the article concentrically while an operation is performed on the sidewall or rim of the article, the outer sleeve being automatically raised into the extended position by the suction being applied to the article, and a retracted position in which the suction is released and the outer sleeve is spaced apart from the outer profile of the article for release of the article from the seating face after the operation is performed.