U.S. patent application number 15/296502 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-05 for apparatus and method for gripping a container for lid opening.
The applicant listed for this patent is Romek Figa. Invention is credited to Romek Figa.
Application Number | 20170284596 15/296502 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59960253 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170284596 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Figa; Romek |
October 5, 2017 |
Apparatus and Method For Gripping a Container For Lid Opening
Abstract
An apparatus for securing a jar during lid opening includes a
base that may be placed on a surface to support a container. The
device also includes first and second container securement elements
located on the base. The first securement element is stationary
with respect to the base and is configured to grasp a base of the
container. The second container securement element is moveably
secured to the base. The second container securement element may
move (1) in a first direction toward the first container securement
element to engage the base of the container and (2) in a second
direction away from the first container securement element to
disengage the base of the container. A locking mechanism locks the
second container securement element when in a locked position and
unlocks the second container securement element when in an unlocked
position.
Inventors: |
Figa; Romek; (Hanover,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Figa; Romek |
Hanover |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59960253 |
Appl. No.: |
15/296502 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62317837 |
Apr 4, 2016 |
|
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|
62341884 |
May 26, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67B 7/18 20130101; F16B
2/185 20130101; F16B 2/10 20130101; F16B 2/065 20130101; F16B 2/12
20130101; F16M 13/022 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16M 13/02 20060101
F16M013/02; F16B 2/10 20060101 F16B002/10; F16B 2/06 20060101
F16B002/06; F16B 2/12 20060101 F16B002/12; F16B 2/18 20060101
F16B002/18 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a base configured to be placed on a
surface and support a container; a first container securement
element located on the base and stationary with respect to the
base, the first container securement element configured to grasp a
base of the container; a second container securement element
located on and moveably secured to the base, the second container
securement element configured to move in a first direction toward
the first container securement element and engage the base of the
container and in a second direction away from the first container
securement element to disengage the base of the container; and a
locking mechanism configured to lock the second container
securement element when in a locked position and unlock the second
container securement element when in a unlocked position, the
second container securement element able to move when the locking
mechanism is unlocked and unable to move when the locking mechanism
is locked.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base includes: a
support portion for supporting the container, the first and second
container securement elements located on the support portion; and a
surface engagement portion moveably secured to the support portion,
the surface engagement surface configured to transition between a
first position in which a top surface of the surface engagement
portion is substantially parallel with a top surface of the support
portion and a second position in which the top surface of the
surface engagement portion is substantially perpendicular to the
top surface of the support portion.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the surface
engagement portion has a vertical portion with a first contact
surface and a horizontal portion with a second contact surface when
in the second position, the first contact surface contacting the
edge of the surface and the second contact surface contacting the
underside of the surface when in the second position.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first and second
contact surfaces include padding to prevent damage to the
surface.
5. An apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising at least
one auger screw extending through the horizontal portion, the auger
screw configured to be adjusted to secure the base to the
surface.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the auger screw
includes a soft tip at a first end of the auger screw, the soft tip
engaging the underside of the surface when the auger screw is
adjusted, thereby preventing damage to the underside of the
surface.
7. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the surface
engagement portion is secured to the support portion via a hinge
such that the surface engagement portion may move relative to the
support portion.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second
container securement elements are v-shaped.
9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
first container securement element and the second container
securement element includes a gripping element located on an inner
surface, the gripping element configured to grip the container when
in contact with the container.
10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base includes a
channel extending at least partially along a length of the base,
the second container securement element having a protrusion
extending downward from the second container securement element and
into the channel, the protrusion configured to slide within the
channel thereby allowing the second container securement element to
move in the first and second direction.
11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the locking
mechanism is operably connected to the protrusion, the locking
mechanism preventing sliding of the protrusion within the channel
when in the locked position.
12. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least
one auger screw extending through the base, the auger screw
configured to be adjusted to secure the base to the surface.
13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the auger screw
includes a soft tip at a first end of the auger screw, the soft tip
engaging the surface when the auger screw is adjusted, thereby
preventing damage to the surface.
14. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the base includes
one or more feet members, the auger screw operably coupled to the
one or feet members to adjust the feet members and secure the base
to the surface.
15. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the base includes
padding on an underside of the base, the padding located between
the auger screw and the surface to prevent the auger screw from
damaging the surface.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application 62/317,837, filed Apr. 4, 2016, entitled
"Apparatus and Method for Gripping a Container During Lid Opening,"
assigned attorney docket number 3327/107, and naming Romek Figa as
inventor, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its
entirety by reference.
[0002] This application also claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application 62/341,884, filed May 26, 2016, entitled
"Apparatus and Method For Gripping a Container For Lid Opening,"
assigned attorney docket number 3327/108, and naming Romek Figa as
inventor, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its
entirety by reference.
RELATED UNITED STATES APPLICATION
[0003] This patent application is related to U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______, entitled "Apparatus and Method For
Gripping a Container During Lid Opening," naming Romek Figa as
inventor, filed on even date herewith, and assigned attorney docket
number 3327/111, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in
its entirety, by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0004] The present invention relates to opening container lids, and
more particularly to devices and methods that grasp a container
during lid opening
BACKGROUND ART
[0005] Many food products are packaged, shipped and purchased in
glass or plastic jars with a screw-on lid that needs to be removed
in order to access the contents of the jar. In order to maintain
the freshness and cleanliness of the product within the container,
the lids are often times thoroughly tightened and sometimes vacuum
sealed. This, in turn, makes the lids difficult to remove. The
struggle to remove the lid is greater for those individuals
suffering from arthritis or dexterity issues, and the task of
holding the container in one hand and twisting off the very tight
lid becomes very difficult if not nearly impossible
SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0006] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an
apparatus for grasping a jar and aiding in lid opening includes a
base configured to be placed on a surface and support the
container/jar. The device also includes a first and second
container securement element located on the base and configured to
grasp the base of the container/jar. The first container securement
element may be stationary with respect to the base. The second
container securement element may be moveably secured to the base
such that it may move in a first direction toward the first
container securement element to engage the base of the container
and in a second direction away from the first container securement
element to disengage the base of the container. A locking mechanism
may lock the second container securement element when in a locked
position and unlock the second container securement element when in
an unlocked position. The second container securement element may
be able to move when the locking mechanism is unlocked and unable
to move when the locking mechanism is locked.
[0007] In some embodiments, the base may include a support portion
and a surface engagement portion. The support portion supports the
container, and the first and second container securement elements
are located on the support portion. The surface engagement portion
may be moveably secured to the support portion, and may transition
between a first position in which a top surface of the surface
engagement portion is substantially parallel with a top surface of
the support portion and a second position in which the top surface
of the surface engagement portion is substantially perpendicular to
the top surface of the support portion. The surface engagement
portion may have a vertical portion with a first contact surface
and a horizontal portion with a second contact surface when in the
second position. The first contact surface may contact the edge of
the surface and the second contact surface may contact the
underside of the surface when in the second position. The first and
second contact surfaces may include padding to prevent damage to
the surface. The surface engagement portion may be secured to the
support portion via a hinge such that the surface engagement
portion may move relative to the support portion.
[0008] The first and second container securement elements may be
v-shaped and/or include a gripping element located on an inner
surface. The gripping element may grip the container when in
contact with the container. The base may also include a channel
extending along a length of the base. The second container
securement element may have a protrusion extending downward from
the second container securement element and into the channel. The
protrusion may slide within the channel to allow the second
container securement element to move in the first and second
direction. The locking mechanism may be operably connected to the
protrusion to prevent sliding of the protrusion within the channel
when in the locked position.
[0009] In further embodiments, the device may include an auger
screw extending through the base. The auger screw may be adjusted
to secure the base to the surface. The auger screw may include a
soft tip at a first end. The soft tip may engage the surface when
the auger screw is adjusted to prevent damage to the surface.
Additionally or alternatively, the base may include one or more
feet members, and the auger screw may be operably coupled to the
feet member(s) to adjust the feet members and secure the base to
the surface. The base may include padding on an underside of the
base. The padding may be located between the auger screw and the
surface to prevent the auger screw from damaging the surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing features of embodiments will be more readily
understood by reference to the following detailed description,
taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a jar
gripping device in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 schematically shows a bottom view of an alternative
jar gripping device, in accordance with some embodiments of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention provide a
jar gripping device that aids in the removal of a lid from the jar.
The device has a stationary and a moveable securement element
located on a base that, in turn, rests on a surface (e.g., a
counter) and supports the jar/container. The securement elements
grasp the jar/container and frees up both of the user's hands to
open the lid.
[0014] FIG. 1 schematically shows one illustrative embodiment of a
jar gripping and securing device 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the jar
gripping device 100 includes a base 110 that, when the device 100
is in use, rests on a surface 120 (e.g., a kitchen countertop,
table, desk, etc.) on which the user wishes to open the
jar/container 200. The base 110 may include a number of features
that stabilize the device 100 on the surface and prevent the device
100 from moving as the user operates the device 100 and/or removes
the lid from the jar 200. For example, the base 110 may include a
matt 130 or similar padding located on the underside of the base
110. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, the base 110 may include a
number of feet 220 (e.g., two, three, four, five or more than five
feet) located on the bottom/underside of the base 110. The matt 130
and/or the feet 220 may be rubber (or similar material) such that
when the device 100 is resting on the surface 120, the matt 130
and/or feet 220 may grip the surface and prevent the device 100
from sliding/rotating and also prevent the device 100 from damaging
the surface 120. Additionally or alternatively, the base 110 may
include one or more vacuum or suction cups (not shown) that suction
to the surface 120 to prevent the device 100 from moving during
use.
[0015] As discussed in greater detail below, during use, the
jar/container 200 to be opened may be placed on the top surface 114
of the base 110. The top surface 114 may be flat or may have a
raised outer periphery (not shown). This raised outer periphery
provides a surface by which the user may grab/manipulate the device
100 and also helps to prevent any jars/containers 200 sitting on
the top surface 114 from sliding off the device 100 and onto the
floor, countertop, table, etc.
[0016] In order to grasp the jar 200 and hold it in place, the
device 100 may include container securement elements 140A/B located
on the base 110. As shown in FIG. 1, one of the container
securement elements (e.g., element 140A) may be stationary (e.g.,
it does not move with respect to the base 110) and the other
securement element (e.g., element 140B) may be moveable with
respect to the base 110. For example, the moveable securement
element 140B may move toward and away from the stationary
securement element 140A to grasp and release the jar/container 200.
To facilitate the movement of the moveable securement element 140B,
the base 110 may include a channel 112 that extends, at least
partially, along the length of the base 110, and the securement
element 140B may have a protrusion 142 (or similar structure) that
extends downward from the securement element 140B and into the
channel 112. The protrusion 142 may slide along (e.g., back and
forth) within the channel 112 to allow the securement element 140B
to move toward and away from the stationary securement member 140A
in order to accommodate for various jar/container sizes.
[0017] Both the stationary securement member 140A and the moveable
securement member 140B may have a body portion 141A/B that defines
the overall structure of the securement member 140A/140B. The body
portion 141A/B may be curved and/or V-shaped in order to better
accommodate the cylindrical shape of the jar/container 200 and also
allow the securement members 140A/B to accommodate differing sized
jars/containers 200. On the inner surface of the securement members
140A/B (e.g., the surface facing the jar/container 200), the
securement members 140A/B have an engagement face 144A/B that acts
to contact/engage the jar/container 200 to hold the jar/container
200 in place. To increase the friction between the securement
members 140A/140B and the jar/container 200, one or both of the
engagement faces 144A/B may include a grip 146A/B (e.g., a
resilient member). For example, the grip 146A/B may be secured to
the engagement face 144A/B via adhesive or other securement method.
As discussed in greater detail below, as the securement members
140A/B begin to make contact with the jar/container 200, the grips
146A/B will begin to deform to more securely hold the jar/container
200 in place.
[0018] It should be noted that, although FIG. 1 shows a device 100
having two securement members 140A/B, other embodiments may have
more securement member 140A/B. For example, some embodiments may
have three securement members 140A/B or more than three securement
members 140A/B (e.g., four, five, six, etc.). Furthermore, the
additional securement members may be stationary, moveable, or a
combination of stationary and moveable (e.g., some may be
stationary like securement member 140A and some may be moveable
like securement member 140B).
[0019] To prevent the moveable securement member 140B from moving
during jar opening, the device 100 may include a locking mechanism
150 that locks the moveable securement member 140B in place and
prevents it from moving. The locking mechanism 150 includes a
handle 152 that may be moved between a locked position (e.g., the
handle 152 is up) in which the moveable securement member 140B
cannot slide along the channel 112 and unlocked position (e.g., the
handle 152 is down) in which the moveable securement member 140B is
free to slide along the channel. For example, the handle 152 may be
operably coupled to the protrusion 142 extending from the moveable
securement member 140B and into the channel 112. In such
embodiments, as the handle 152 is moved into the locked position,
the protrusion 142 may be pressed against the bottom and/or sides
of the channel 112 to prevent the moveable securement member 140B
from moving. Additionally or alternatively, movement of the handle
152 into the locked positions may cause one or more projections
(not shown) to extend out from the moveable securement member 140B
and/or the protrusion 142. These projections may engage the base
110 and/or the channel 112 to prevent movement of the securement
member 140B.
[0020] During use, to adjust the location of the moveable
securement member 140B, the user may move the handle 152 to the
unlock position to allow the moveable securement member 140B to
slide within the channel 112. The user may then slide the moveable
securement member 140B towards the stationary securement member 140
until the engagement face 144B and grip 146B of the moveable
securement member 140B engage the jar/container 200. Once the
moveable securement member 140B is in place and engaged with the
jar/container 200, the user may move the handle 152 of the locking
mechanism 150 to the locked position to lock the moveable
securement member 140B in place against the jar/container 200.
[0021] As the moveable securement member 140B engages the
jar/container 200, the grip members 144A/B (e.g., the resilient
members) will deform until the securement members 140A/B have a
firm grasp on the jar 200. Additionally, in some embodiments,
moving the handle 152 to the locked position may cause the moveable
securement member 140B to apply some additional pressure on the
jar/container 200 (e.g., it may cause the moveable securement
member 140B to move slightly towards the jar/container 200) to
ensure that the jar/container is grasped tightly and will not move
during lid opening. At this point, the jar 200 is secured in place,
the securement members 140A/V prevent the jar 200 from rotating,
and the user is free to remove the lid to open the jar 200.
[0022] It should be noted that, because the device 100 securely
grasps and holds the jar 200 and the device 100 remains stationary
on the kitchen surface, the user is free to use one or both hands
to remove the lid 210. This is particularly beneficial for
individuals with arthritis and/or low dexterity as the user no
longer needs to manipulate the jar 200 with one hand and turn the
lid 210 with the other.
[0023] After removing the lid 210 from the jar 200, the user may
simply reverse the process to remove the jar 200 from the device.
For example, after the lid 210 is removed, the user may move the
handle 152 of the locking mechanism 150 to the unlocked position to
unlock the moveable securement member 140B. This, in turn, will
allow the user to move/slide the moveable securement member 140B
away from the jar/container 200. This will disengage the moveable
securement member 140B from the jar 200. Once moveable securement
member 140B is moved sufficiently far away, the user may then
remove the jar 200 from the device 100 to access to contents of the
jar 200.
[0024] In some embodiments, the device 100 may have additional
structures to aid in stabilizing the device 100 on the surface 120
(e.g., the kitchen surface/counter) during use. In particular, as
shown in FIG. 1, the base may include a support portion 160 and a
surface engagement portion 170 that is secured to the support
portion 160 via a hinge 180 to allow the surface engagement portion
170 to move relative to the support portion 160. During use, the
support portion 160 may rest on the surface 120 and support the
jar/container 200. Additionally, to help secure the device 100 to
the surface/counter 120, the surface engagement portion 170 may be
rotated down so that it engages the edge 122 and bottom 124 of the
surface/counter 120. To that end, when in the rotated down
position, the engagement portion 170 may include a vertical member
172 with a vertical surface 173 that engages/contacts the edge 122
of the counter 120, and a horizontal member 174 with a horizontal
surface 175 that engages the underside/bottom 124 of the counter
120. Both the vertical surface 173 and horizontal surface 175 may
include padding (not shown) to prevent the surface engagement
portion 170 from damaging the counter 120.
[0025] It should be noted that, by engaging the edge 122 and
underside 124 of the surface/counter 120, the engagement portion
170 helps secure the device 100 to the counter 120 and prevent
rotation of the device 100 as the lid 210 is removed. For example,
in embodiments containing the engagement portion 170, when the user
is twisting off the lid 210, the vertical member 172 will be forced
against/engage the edge 122 of the countertop 120 to prevent the
device 100 from rotating. Additionally, the horizontal member 174
will engage the bottom 124 of the countertop 120 to prevent the
device from being accidentally lifted off of the countertop 120. It
should be noted that, to further prevent the device 100 from
rotating and/or being lifted off the surface/counter 120, the user
may position their body against the vertical member 172 to hold the
device 100 against the edge 122 of the surface/counter 120.
[0026] To further secure the device 100 to the surface/counter 120,
some embodiments may also include an auger screw 185 that extends
through the base 110 (e.g., the support portion 160 of the base
110). The auger screw 185 can be adjusted to (e.g., screwed into
the base 110) to tighten the base 110 down on the surface/counter
120. For example, the auger screw 185 may be screwed further into
the base 110 (e.g., using a tool 190) such that the bottom of the
screw 185 extends out of the bottom of the base 110 (e.g., the
bottom of the support portion 160) and contacts the surface/counter
120. This will secure the device 100 to the surface by sandwiching
the surface/counter 120 between the auger screw 185 and the
engagement portion 170 of the base 110 (e.g., horizontal member
174). To prevent damage to the surface/counter 120, the auger screw
185 may have a soft/resilient tip that contacts the surface/counter
120. Additionally or alternatively, instead of contacting the
surface/counter 120 directly, the matt 130 may act as a barrier
between the auger screw 185 and the surface/counter 120.
[0027] As briefly mentioned above, instead of the matt 130
discussed above, some embodiments of the device may have a number
of feet 220 that stabilize the device 100 on the surface 120 and
help prevent the device 100 from moving as the user operates the
device 100 and/or removes the lid 210 from the jar 200. For
example, as best shown in FIG. 2, the base 110 may include a number
of feet 220 (e.g., two, three, four, five or more than five feet)
located on the bottom of the base 110. The feet 220 may be rubber
(or similar material) such that when the device 100 is resting on
the surface 120, the feet 220 may grip the surface 120 and prevent
the device 100 from sliding/rotating. In such embodiments, the
auger screw 185 may be coupled to one or more of the feet 220 such
that as the auger screw 185 is adjusted the height/vertical
location of the feet 220 are similarly adjusted. In this manner,
the auger screw 185 may be used to tighten the feet 220 onto
surface/counter 120 and secure the surface/counter 120 between the
feet 220 and the engagement portion 170 of the base 110 (e.g.,
horizontal member 174).
[0028] Although FIG. 1 shows the auger screw 185 extending through
the base 110 of the device, other embodiments may have different
configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the auger screw
185 may extend through the horizontal member 174 of the engagement
portion 170. In such embodiments, after the engagement portion 170
has been lowered and the horizontal member 174 is located under the
surface/counter 120 (e.g., in the position shown in FIG. 1), the
auger screw 185 may be adjusted (e.g., from the underside of the
horizontal member 174) such that the tip of the auger screw 185
moves upward and contacts the underside 124 of the surface/counter
120. This, in turn, will secure the device 100 to the surface 120
by sandwiching the surface/counter 120 between the auger screw 185
and the base 110 (e.g., the support portion 160). Like the auger
screw 185 mentioned above, the auger screw that extends through the
horizontal member 174 may have a soft/resilient tip that contacts
the underside 124 of the surface/counter 120. Additionally or
alternatively, instead of contacting the underside 124 of the
surface/counter 120 directly, the padding on the horizontal member
174 may act as a barrier between the auger screw 185 and the
underside 124 of the surface/counter 120 and/or the auger screw 185
may adjust the location of feet that contact the underside 124 of
the surface/counter 120.
[0029] It is important to note that the overall size of the device
100 should be balanced against the range of jar 200 sizes that the
device 100 is most likely to encounter and the counter space that
the device 100 will take up. For example, the device 100 should be
large enough to accommodate most typical jar sizes (e.g., 1.5''
diameter to 5'' diameter jars) but not so large as to take up a
large amount of counter space and/or not be able to fit into a
drawer. Additionally or alternatively, when not being used to open
jars 200, the device 100 may be used to hold other objects such as,
but not limited to, vases, fruit bowls, decorative dishes, etc. In
this manner, even when the device 100 remains on the countertop,
the space occupied by the device 100 is not wasted.
[0030] The embodiments of the invention described above are
intended to be merely exemplary; numerous variations and
modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All
such variations and modifications are intended to be within the
scope of the present invention as defined in any appended
claims.
* * * * *