# US 2014/0190131 A1 · Cap handling tool and method of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190131 A1 - Document ID: US20140190131A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/235,467 - Filed: 2012-08-02 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-02 - Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Applicants: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Inventors: Jason W. Bjork - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190131A1 ## CPC - B67B 7/02: for removing stoppers - B01L 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass - B67B 7/00: Hand- or power-operated devices for opening closed containers (nail pullers or extractors B25C11/00; attached to, or incorporated in, containers or container closures {B65D75/58, B65D77/30}) - B01L 3/50853: {with covers or lids (closures for test tubes B01L3/50825)} - B01L 3/50855: {using modular assemblies of strips or of individual wells} - B01L 2200/0689: Sealing - B67B: APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS (opening or closing devices attached to, or incorporated in, containers or container closures B65D) - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE ## Abstract A tool (100) is provided for use in uncapping a plurality of linearly-oriented, spaced-apart tubes; the tubes capped with a unitary closure device comprising a plurality of spaced-apart, linearly-oriented alternating caps and openings, each cap having a cap upper surface and being connected to at least one adjacent cap by at least two connecting structures, each of the at least two connecting structures having a connecting structure upper surface and a connecting structure lower surface, the at least two connecting structures and two adjacent caps forming a boundary of an opening. The tool comprises a body (30) having first portion (42) for engagement by a user and a second portion comprising a base (52) and a plurality of spaced-apart projections (60) extending there-from. Each projection is configured for releasably engaging one of the openings in the unitary closure device. Optionally, the first portion is configured in a non-coplanar relationship with respect to the second portion. Methods of use are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tool for use in uncapping a plurality of linearly-oriented, spaced-apart tubes; the tubes capped with a unitary closure device comprising a plurality of spaced-apart, linearly-oriented alternating caps and openings, each cap having a cap upper surface and being connected to at least one adjacent cap by at least two connecting structures, each of the at least two connecting structures having a connecting structure upper surface and a connecting structure lower surface, the at least two connecting structures and two adjacent caps forming a boundary of an opening; the tool comprising: a body having first portion for engagement by a user and a second portion comprising a base and a plurality of spaced-apart projections extending therefrom; wherein each projection comprises a longitude and a terminus; wherein each projection is configured for releasably engaging one of the openings in the unitary closure device; wherein the plurality of projections is configured to align with two or more of the plurality of openings in the unitary closure device; wherein the first portion is configured in a non-coplanar relationship with respect to the second portion; wherein the first portion has a first side and a second side; wherein the second portion comprises the base and the at least one projection, the at least one projection comprising a terminus; wherein, when the second side of the first portion is held against a surface, the distance between the terminus of the at least one projection and the surface is sufficient to hold any portion of a cap fully-engaged on the projection off the surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of projections is dimensioned to fit closely within and extend through the opening. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The tool of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of projections extends further from the base than the distance from a plane defined by the cap upper surfaces of two adjacent caps to the connecting structure lower surface of at least one of the connecting structures there between. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the first portion further comprises an edge. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The tool of claim 4, wherein the edge further comprises a groove. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The tool of claim 4, wherein the edge comprises a curvate edge. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the body is made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, a plastic polymer, wood, and composites thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the at least one projection further comprises at least two concave surfaces. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the at least one projection further comprises a surface comprising a cap-engaging element configured to engage a first connecting structure wherein, when the tool is operably engaged with the unitary closure device, the cap-engaging element is oriented toward the first connecting structures. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The tool of claim 9, wherein the projection further comprises a second cap-engaging element opposite the first cap-engaging element, wherein the second cap-engaging element is configured to engage a second connecting structure. ### Claim 11 (canceled) ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the distance between the terminus of the projection and the surface is sufficient to hold any portion of the fully-engaged cap at least 2 mm off the surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The tool of claim 12, wherein the distance between the terminus of the projection and the surface is sufficient to hold any portion of the fully-engaged cap at least 10 mm off the surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A method of uncapping a plurality of tubes, comprising: providing a plurality of tubes aligned along a longitudinal axis and capped with a unitary closure device comprising a plurality of spaced-apart, linearly-oriented alternating caps and openings, each cap having a cap upper surface and being connected to at least one adjacent cap by at least two connecting structures, each of the at least two connecting structures having a connecting structure upper surface and a connecting structure lower surface, the at least two connecting structures and two adjacent caps forming a boundary of an opening; and a tool according to claim 1; inserting at least one projection into at least one of the openings; and rotating the tool substantially about the longitudinal axis in a first direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of using the tool to recap the tubes. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein using the tool to recap the tubes comprises rotating the tool substantially about the longitudinal axis in a direction opposite the first direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of using the groove to secure the caps.