Patent ID: 7296389

Claim:
A fixture for removing a cover from a shipping container, the fixture comprising: a base having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, a transverse axis orthogonal to both the longitudinal and lateral axes, a surface extending in a plane defined by the longitudinal and lateral axes, side walls extending transversely from the surface, a slot defined longitudinally between the side walls and extending along the surface, and the slot being adapted to support the shipping container; a pivot guide mounted to the surface and extending laterally between the side walls, the pivot guide being adapted to guide the shipping container and act as a fulcrum for the shipping container during cover removal; a catch mounted to the surface and longitudinally spaced apart from the pivot guide, the catch having a lip extending longitudinally that is transversely spaced apart from the surface to define a slit for receiving a portion of the cover, and the lip being adapted to engage the cover during removal from the shipping container; and a fork mounted to the base adjacent the catch and extending transversely above the surface, the fork being longitudinally movable relative to the base, the pivot guide, and the catch, and the fork being adapted to engage the cover and moved longitudinally during removal from the shipping container.