Patent ID: 6449827
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: B25B,G01N,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for gripping and holding a container during delidding, mixing or oscillating operations, comprising:a horizontally positioned, flat surface base comprising: a vertical aperture partially extending through the top of the base; a horizontal aperture extending through a side of the base and intersecting the vertical aperture; a plurality of intermittent, vertical, raised edges on the top of the base; and means for attaching the base to a support; a flat, elastic plate gasket, conforming to the shape of the base, resting on top of the base between the raised edges, the gasket having a vertical aperture therethrough aligning with the vertical aperture of the base, wherein the height of the raised edges extend above the height of the plate gasket; and vacuum means attached to the horizontal aperture on the side of the base, wherein the container having a lid thereon and conforming to the shape of the base being placed on top of the plate gasket, fitting within and abutting against the raised edges of the base, and a vacuum being applied to the base, the container is suctionally pulled down towards the base and securely held there without loss of vacuum while means for removing the lid is being applied thereto.