US 11,858,796 B2
Capper/decapper system and method
Jurjen Sinnema, Joure (NL); Franciscus Feijen, Leeuwarden (NL); and Harm W. van der Dong, Den Ham (NL)
Assigned to BD KIESTRA B.V., Drachten (NL)
Appl. No. 17/047,607
Filed by BD KIESTRA B.V., Drachten (NL)
PCT Filed Apr. 18, 2019, PCT No. PCT/EP2019/060083
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 14, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/202078, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 24, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/659,915, filed on Apr. 19, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0147206 A1, May 20, 2021
Int. Cl. B67B 7/15 (2006.01); B67B 7/18 (2006.01); G01B 11/26 (2006.01); G01D 5/20 (2006.01)
CPC B67B 7/15 (2013.01) [B67B 7/182 (2013.01); G01B 11/26 (2013.01); G01D 5/20 (2013.01)] 30 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for imparting rotational torque upon a substantially cylindrical object, comprising:
a coupling assembly having a substantially circular surface having a diameter approximately equal to that of the substantially cylindrical object wherein the coupling is adapted to receive the substantially cylindrical object; and
a plurality of fingers extending from the substantially circular surface wherein a proximate end of each finger is attached to the coupling and a distal end extends away from the coupling;
wherein each finger includes a spline at least partially recessed within a chamber therein, wherein a first end of the spline is pivotally retained in the distal end of each finger, and a second end of the spline adjacent the coupling is biased so that the second end is urged outward from the finger that retains spline; and
wherein each spline is adapted to grip a surface of the substantially cylindrical object, when the substantially cylindrical object is received between the fingers so that rotation of the coupling causes rotation of the substantially cylindrical object.