# US 2017/0283231 A1 · Apparatus and Method For Gripping a Container During Lid Opening > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0283231 A1 - Document ID: US20170283231A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/296,479 - Filed: 2016-10-18 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-04 - Inventors: Romek Figa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170283231A1 ## CPC - B67B 7/18: for removing threaded caps (B67B7/14 takes precedence; wrenches B25B13/00) - F16B 2/065: {using screw-thread elements (F16B2/08 - F16B2/12 take precedence)} - F16B 2/10: using pivoting jaws - F16B 2/12: using sliding jaws - F16B 2/185: {using levers} - F16M 13/022: {repositionable} - 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) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS ## Abstract An apparatus for grasping a jar and aiding in lid opening includes a base element that may be placed on a surface, and a top housing that is rotatably secured to the base element. A spiral guide element located between the base element and the top housing includes at least one spiral groove. One or more jaw members may be moveably secured to the top housing, and have a protrusion located within the spiral groove(s). The rotation of the top housing in a first direction (with respect to the base element) causes at least one of the jaw members to move radially inward with respect to the axis to engage a base of container. The rotation of the top housing in a second direction causes at least one jaw member to move radially outward with respect to the axis to disengage with the base of the container. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for grasping a jar and aiding in lid opening comprising: a base element configured to be placed on a surface; a top housing rotatably secured to the base element and configured to rotate about an axis with respect to the base element; a spiral guide element located between the base element and the top housing, the spiral guide element including at least one spiral groove; a plurality of jaw members moveably secured to the top housing, each of the plurality of jaw members having a protrusion located within the at least one spiral groove and configured to move along the at least one spiral groove, rotation of the top housing in a first direction causing at least one of the jaw members to move radially inward with respect to the axis to engage a base of container, rotation of the top housing in a second direction causing at least one jaw member to move radially outward with respect to the axis to disengage with the base of the container. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one engagement member located on the base element and configured to engage the surface, thereby holding the apparatus in place during rotation of the top housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one engagement member includes a plurality of feet members located on an underside of the base element, the feet members configured to contact the surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of feet members are further configured to increase the friction between the apparatus and the surface, thereby holding the apparatus in place during rotation of the top housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the engagement members are suction cups, the suction cups configured to suction to the surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the engagement members are vacuum cups, the vacuum cups configured to suction to the surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one leg member extending from the base element and configured to engage an edge of the surface during rotation of the top housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the at least one leg member is further configured to engage the edge of the surface during removal of a lid from the container. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the at least one leg member includes a first leg member and a second leg member, the first leg member nearer a first end of the base element, the second leg member located nearer a second end of the base element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first leg element is configured to engage the edge of the surface during rotation of the top housing in a first direction, the second leg member configured to engage the edge of the surface during rotation of the top housing in a second direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each jaw member includes a body portion, the protrusion extending from a bottom of the body portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spiral element includes an opening extending there through, the top housing having a protrusion extending downward and through the opening, thereby allowing the top housing to rotate about the axis and with respect to the spiral guide element and the base member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each jaw member includes a resilient member, the resilient member grasping the base of the container. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the top housing includes a plurality of slots extending through the top housing, each of the protrusions extending through one of the plurality of slots and into the at least one spiral groove. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spiral groove includes a plurality of spiral grooves, the protrusion from each of the plurality of jaw members located in a dedicated spiral groove. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first direction is counter clock-wise. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a brace member removably secured to the base element, the brace member including a horizontal portion configured to rest on the surface and a vertical portion configured to engage the edge of the surface, thereby preventing rotation of the device during use. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the brace member includes at least one post member extending from the horizontal portion and into at least one hole in the base element when the brace member is secured to the device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the brace member further includes a hinge between the horizontal portion and the vertical portion, the hinge configured to allow the horizontal portion and vertical portion to move relative to one another.