Patent ID: 7421831

Claim:
A device for alternatively simultaneously removing caps from and simultaneously replacing caps into a plurality of containers disposed within an array having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, wherein each cap has a recessed top, the device comprising: a cartridge comprising: a frame; a plurality of sets of gripper plates disposed within the frame, with one set of gripper plates corresponding to each column of the array, wherein each gripper plate comprises a plurality of gripper arms extending downward relative to the frame, with one gripper arm corresponding to each row of the array, wherein each gripper arm has a hooked end extending in a plane of the gripper plate and the hooked ends of all gripper arms on a gripper plate extend in one direction, and wherein the hooked ends of one gripper plate of each set of plates extend in an opposite direction from the hooked ends of another gripper plate of the set, wherein each plate has a corresponding gripper arm on the other gripper plate so that a pair of gripper arms defines a manipulator; and a rotating cam assembly having a cam shaft for cooperating with the gripper plates to change a relative position of one gripper arm relative to its corresponding gripper arm so that the manipulator engages an indent of a hollow portion of the cap and expands, skews and contracts to grip, stretch, and release the cap, respectively; and a drive means for rotating the cam assembly.