US 10,710,861 B2Granted

Automatic lid opener

OwnerMary Hancockinventor

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Abstract

Embodiments described herein provide an automatic lid opener comprising a base section, a top section, a middle section, at least one motor and a control panel. The base section comprises a base cavity capable of receiving a base portion of a jar, an inflatable grip within the base cavity, and a pump configured to inflate the inflatable grip, the inflatable grip configured to extend in a radially inward direction of the base cavity upon inflation and engage the base portion of the jar to form a grip, when the jar is positioned in the base cavity. The top section comprises a lid gripping mechanism and a lid rotation mechanism. The at least one motor is configured to operate at least one of the pump, the lid gripping mechanism, the rotation mechanism, or the height adjustment mechanism, and the control panel is configured to power the at least one motor.

An automatic lid opener, comprising:

a base section comprising
a base cavity surrounding a perimeter of a container,
an inflatable grip within the base cavity for applying a predetermined pressure to the perimeter of the container,
a pump configured to inflate the inflatable grip, the inflatable grip configured to extend in a radially inward direction of the base cavity upon inflation;
a top section comprising
a lid cavity,
a lid gripping mechanism comprising
a first gripping rack comprising a first gripping portion at an end of the first gripping rack,
a second gripping rack comprising a second gripping portion at an end of the second gripping rack, the second gripping portion at an end opposite to the first gripping portion, and
a first gear mating with the first and the second gripping racks, the first gear positioned between the first and the second gripping racks, and configured to move the first gripping rack in a direction opposite to the movement of the second gripping rack, thereby capable of increasing or decreasing the distance between the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion, and
a lid rotation mechanism disposed within the lid cavity and comprising a jaw rack for bearing and rotating the two gripping racks and the first gear;
a middle section comprising a height adjustment mechanism bearing the top section, the height adjustable mechanism operable to move the top section to adjust the vertical separation between the top section and the base section;
at least one motor configured to operate at least one of the pump, the lid gripping mechanism, the rotation mechanism, or the height adjustment mechanism;
and
a control panel operably coupled with and configured to control the at least one motor to power at least one of the pump to inflate the inflatable grip, the lid gripping mechanism to adjust the distance between the gripping portions, the lid rotation mechanism to rotate the jaw rack and the gripping portions borne in the jaw rack, or the height adjustment mechanism to move the top section;
wherein the middle section and the inflatable grip are stationary relative to the base section.

13 more elements

Abstract

Claims20