Patent ID: 7025193

Claim:
A device ( 1 ) for holding objects ( 2 ) having at least one open end ( 200 ), comprising picking-up means ( 20 ) suitable to grip and withhold the object from inside the open end ( 200 ), and comprising in addition a protective sliding sleeve ( 7 , 70 ) suitable to cover and protect a pre-determined portion of the object ( 2 ) in the proximity of the open end ( 200 ), wherein the protective sleeve is slidable ( 7 , 70 ) relative to picking-up means ( 20 ), wherein there are provided means ( 24 ) for sliding said protective sleeve ( 7 , 70 ) between a first position in which said pre-determined portion of the object ( 2 ) in the proximity of the open end is not covered while being withheld and a second position in which said pre-determined portion of the object ( 2 ) in the proximity of the open end is covered and vice versa while the object ( 2 ) is held by the picking-up means ( 20 ), and wherein there are provided first actuation means for said picking-up means ( 20 ), and second actuation means for said means ( 24 ) for sliding said protective sleeve wherein said first actuation means are actuatable independent from said second actuation means.